Review of Satan (aka Sheitan)

Introduction

Over the past ten years, Vincent Cassel has become more and more involved with a movement called `Kourtrajmé`, who began making short films starring Cassel, such as 2002`s `La Barbichette`, written and directed by Kim Chapiron and starring Cassel and Olivier Bartélémy. In 2006, Cassel was again approached by Chapiron, who wanted to make a feature film, `Sheitan` (Satan), that he had written with his father, Christian.

In `Sheitan`, three friends, Bart, Thaï and Ladj are out partying in the Styxx Club when Bart (Bartélémy) gets into a fight and is ejected from the premises. The three are joined by barmaid Yasmine and fellow reveller, Eve, who invites them back to her house in the country to celebrate Christmas. When they get to the cottage, which is full of dolls, they meet the housekeeper, Joseph, whose strange behaviour and appearance disturbs everyone but Eve. Joseph`s wife, Marie, is heavily pregnant and also suffering from mental problems.

As Christmas approaches, the behaviour of Joseph and that of the locals, becomes more erratic, giving the visitors a Christmas they will never forget.

Video

Considering it was shot using Super-16 cameras, `Sheitan` looks very good and has a clear and sharp anamorphic 1.85:1 transfer.

Audio

In terms of 5.1, you have the choice of DD and DTS soundtracks, which are both very clear and atmospheric, with a stereo option if you don`t have a 5.1 setup. All three soundtracks are in French, but the optional English subtitles are well written and free from spelling and grammatical errors.

Features

The `making of` is a 24 minute interview with Vincent Cassel in which he talks about his involvement with Kourtrajmé, how `Sheitan` came to be made and a little of the on-location shot.

Early on in the film, the protagonists stop at a garage where the attendant is watching a vampire movie. The featurette `Vampire - a short film featuring Monica Belluci` plays the film three times, this is Belluci`s cameo and ninth collaboration with her husband, Cassel.

There is also a trailer.

Conclusion

Vincent Cassel has played some fine characters before but Joseph may be his most memorable. With a set of teeth from the 18th century, and a host of other prosthetics, he wouldn`t have looked out of place in a number of 1970`s horror films. The inexperienced cast acquit themselves well and do not disappoint; the improvisation style of the film suits them and the conversations sound real and not scripted or stilted.

`Sheitan` is not the most sophisticated, nor greatest film ever made, but it is good fun with an edge of menace and, with references to such films as `Rosemary`s Baby`, `Deliverance`, `The Texas Chainsaw Massacre` and `The Hills Have Eyes`, there is much for horror fans to enjoy.

I hope this is a sign of things to come and I look forward to the next project from the Kourtrajmé collective.