How do you eat human meat? Preferably not too well done and definitely with a good glass of red wine. Tailor Carlos Marquez from Granada, an upstanding citizen, enjoys this every evening. His fridge is full of human flesh. The Spanish film Cannibal is based on Humberto Arenal’s book Caribal (1997) on cannibalism, a taboo that deeply fascinates director Cuenca. Nevertheless, this film, shot in beautiful Granada, never edges towards sensationalism.
The Andalusian director tells the story of this unrepentant cannibalistic tailor soberly. But then the tailor meets his new Romanian neighbour and her shy sister Nina and his world is suddenly upended.
In contrast to its title, there is remarkably little blood in Cannibal. Cuenca records the tailor’s deeds sparingly and exceedingly stylishly.
Film details
- Countries of production
- France, Romania, Russia, Spain
- Year
- 2013
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2014
- Length
- 117'
- Medium/Format
- DCP
