Red Krokodil: Written Review

Red Krokodil

Written Review

Hi everyone! Welcome to the second episode of MyIndie Review Vlog. The show that gives you spoiler-free reviews of Indie films.

My name is Asaf Angel from MyIndie Productions. Before I begin, I’d like to clarify something that wasn’t said out loud in the first episode. This vlog solely deals with films by independent filmmakers. The purpose behind it is to support and promote the independent artists community.

Today I’d like to talk to you about 2012’s Red Krokodil, Directed by renowned Italian Extreme filmmaker Domiziano Cristopharo, who also helmed as cinematographer on this project, which was written by Francesco Scardone. The film recently had a director’s cut re-release to blu-ray.

Red Krokodil refers to a highly destructive, deadly and super addictive drug. The story follows the deterioration of a young man addicted to the substance, who is isolated in a dingy apartment in a post nuclear war environment. The man, admirably portrayed by Brock Madson, is slowly experiencing the decay of his mind and body, while he sadly indulges on thoughts of his healthier virile self in a pastoral world.

The man’s fears and regrets manifest themselves as nightmarish hallucinations as he hurtles towards his own demise.

It took me a while to construct this review, because after having watched the film, I had to think about it for four whole days. Because writing a review on what this film actually represents and what I believe its message is, can easily become a two hour video. I don’t think anyone would want to listen to me for two hours, so I’m going to stick to the highlights of my take on the film.

As a rule of thumb, in common narratives, there are two types of conflict that the protagonist deals with. The first one is external. Something tangible needs to happen. Something obvious and distinctive like a car accident, or a cheating lover. The second type of conflict is internal. It takes place within the mind. it’s essentially the protagonist’s internal battle.

It’s easier to show external conflict in film and have it play out clearly and serve the story. Internal conflict is a whole different ballpark. As a storyteller, How do you show internal struggle? Think about it. How do you shoot a thought? How do you shoot a state of mind? Or express complex emotions through mostly using what you can’t see?

In Red Krokodil, almost all of the conflict in is internal and resides within the character’s mind. That makes the film unusual in the way it conveys its message.

While the film stayed with me after having watched it, I must admit, it took me a while to realize what it was really about. Before I go further, I want put it out there. This is just my opinion. Do with it what you will.

I think the young man in the film represents all Mankind, and this character’s destructive habits correlate directly to everything wrong with humans at our core.

It feels like most of us often tend to disregard logic in favour of instant gratification. That’s how destructive habits become habits. Smoking, drinking etc. And it resonates to the whole world.

We relentlessly exhaust our resources. We condemn ourselves to extinction by failing to take into account what will inevitably happen on the day nature retaliates when losing its tolerance for human beings (That is if we don’t beat it to the punch by annihilating each other in nuclear wars). The film depicts our unfortunate reality.

Mankind’s actions are represented by our protagonist who succumbs to his destructive habits and abuses his body (his vessel) in order to meet his needs. The element of an apocalyptic environment helps understand why he does it. It correlates with our sense of hopelessness and fear that drive us to want to escape from reality.

In the visual sense, As the world around the protagonist is in the middle of an apocalypse, I couldn’t help but think that I was actually looking at the outcome of what was hiding in the subtext.

Red Krokodil’s depiction of factual elements from the dark side of humanity is used to cast judgment on all mankind. It does it elegantly and purposely and I believe without optimism. That means, the film may not be a wake-up call for Man to correct his ways rather than a statement. “Look at what we did to the planet”. Cristopharo superbly executed this story. It was very brave of him to tackle such topics, through the internal conflict of a drug addict.

To sum up, if you’re looking to challenge your mind and seek more than just escapism, Red Krokodil is the film for you. Highly recommended.

8.5/10 on the Look At Me, I’m a Film Critic scale!

Feel free to check it out for yourselves. It’s also available on Unearthed Films‘ Vimeo on Demand as well as on Blu-ray via Amazon (Director’s cut).

Until next time, keep supporting Indie Film. My name is Asaf Angel and thanks for tuning in to MyIndie Review Vlog.