Long Pigs review (DVD) ★★★

So many films in recent years have capitalised on the craze for mockumentaries that the snoozefest known as The Blair Witch Project started. Far from the first film to be influenced by cinema verite, Blair Witch was a piffle affair that gave inspiration to a number of far superior films, such as [REC] and its sequel, the tremendous Exhibit A, and now the very much solid Long Pigs.

Title aside, the film takes a refreshing approach for a mockumentary. We've had so many now that the trend has become incredibly tiresome, but Long Pigs has an enjoyable plot, revolving around your average Canadian citizen. Okay, that's a lie, he's actually a serial-killing cannibal, but still, a Canadian citizen nonetheless. Two film-makers come across the human flesh-eating Anthony McAlistar and he openly lets them into his life, allowing them to document everything from his job as a parking valet, to the most interesting part of his existence: his taste for fellow humans. We learn that he's quite partial to a nice, warming bit of prostitute stew, as I'm sure we'd all be if we consumed our neighbours, right? McAlistar's quite a culinary connoisseur and shows us exactly how to get the best cuts of meat from a dead body in the most intricate way possible, make no bones about it. There is a sped-up scene where, with an astoundingly good practical effect, we see Anthony take apart an entire corpse, from fully clothed to just ashes. It's really an amazing visual to behold.

The film never comes across as corny, which is too easily done with a mockumentary, and instead harbours impressive realism. Footage of the cannibal is divided up into segments with detectives giving their thoughts on murder, cannibalism, and the psychology of both. They give an interesting parallel to the first-hand evidence of such horrific crimes as they are carried out by McAlistar.

Long Pigs, though not without its flaws, is a promising effort; a study of a well-written, multi-dimensional character who brings a whole new meaning to the term “maneater”, portrayed tremendously by a fine actor who I'd like to see more of in the future, just preferably without such a distasteful habit. Perhaps most disturbing of all, however, is that he greatly reminded me of my tutor when I studied film. Interpret that how you wish.