Berberian Sound Studio

Truly Bizarre

Director: Peter Strickland
Release Date: 2012

Rating: 15

Running Time: 90 mins

Genre: Surreal/ Horror/ Thriller

Actors: Toby Jones

As a work of art this film can be rated quite highly. As a narrative that's enjoyable this film does not work. The thing that I found with 'Berberian Sound Studio' is that from the very start you have no idea what's really going on, and on several occasions I wanted to start the film again because I was so lost. I don't think anyone knows what actually goes on in this film and I doubt anyone will ever truly know. This surreal and altogether baffling story is definitely not for everyone, and it's certainly one you've got to be awake for.

It's hard to really explain the plot line as you're not really too sure until about half and hour in but basically we see British sound technician, Gilderoy (Toby Jones) called out to Italy to work in a sound studio editing the music and various sound effects into a horror film. The way we see how the characters make the sound effects for the film in 'Berberain Sound Studios' is really interesting and in some parts actually quite amusing. It's fair to say that the sound effects created and put on the film is really the main attraction for audiences because to be honest there's not much more to the film. Toby Jones was very well cast for the roll however as he was able to convincingly portray a man trapped in an uncomfortable and pretty disturbed environment. Nearing the end the surrealness of this film kicked in and well and truly confused the hell out of me. All I can say is it left me questioning what everything I had just been sat watching and in fairness I didn't feel that comfortable with how the film ended.

The best way of summing it up is probably by saying that it's one of those typical British Film 4 type films like 'Sightseers' or 'In Fear' where there's a very modern feel to them in terms of cinema as it is able to offer bits of everything, that British people love, a hint of black comedy, a hint of horror and in a way is a film that does leave audiences completely baffled by. The film tackles the themes of madness and isolation a lot and manages to wrap it around a rather unusual story, it's hard to say what really goes on but it's certainly interesting no matter whether it can be understood or not. All I can say is that if you like weird films and you're a fan of disturbing and confusing films then check it out, but if you're not, it's probably best you choose a different film.

4/10