Huge failure in the box office 26 years ago, this Western masterpiece is inspired by a terrible real story

In the summer of 1999, it was almost anonymous, with only a few thousand curious people in the French rooms. From the American side, this was even worse: a devastating stroll that barely $ 2 million harvests, from 12 million to far, needed to cover his budget. The bitter failure that he would have forgiven for him … if he gradually won the status of cult work.

Director Antonia Bird – It was missing in 2013 – the film overcame chaotic production. Guy Percy, one of the main actors, recalled an agitated shooting, marked by several directors. The first returned two weeks later, and in the form of a collective uprising, the team had imposed a bird, a third party to convert the project.

“” “It was a very difficult shooting“The actor told us when he was in Paris in 2012 to improve the lock.”Decisions were political. We had a mutilation and imposing Antonia, a director of Antonia. The first landed after 15 days of shooting. We had a lot of problems, including about the movie BO because the fox wanted to be assigned Michael Niman.»

Hollywood never knew how to produce this hybrid film. Is it Western? Horror film? Political satire? A true story? Actually Awful All this is at once and this is what has undoubtedly accelerated its initial refusal. But it is also a singularity that creates its wealth and its power.

Cannibal tale in the light of war and conquest

The intrigue occurred during the American-Mexican War of 1846-1848, during the problematic and brutal period of history. This scenario is partially inspired by the true tragic deen’s expedition (in English), 87 American pioneers who tried to join California in the West of the 1840s. During the winter of 1846-1847, Sierra hit Nevada with heavy snow, 36 of which were killed hungry or disease. Thus, some survivors were forced to use cannibalism for survival. Finally, only 47 people managed to reach their destination.

As a result of the inventor and sometimes hallucinated, the film is full of visually stunning scenes – as this dizziness in the ravine, almost unrealistic – and sharp black humor. Casting, inappropriate, unites Guy PercyRobert Carlille as a charismatic role because they are concerned, Jeffrey Jones, David Arket and Neil McDonu. Together, they gave the meat a runny and attractive tale.

“Tell me who you eat, I’ll tell you who you are”

In this sentence, the French poster slogan perfectly summarizes the symbolic meaning of the film. Because of blood beyond, Awful He talks about power, domination, and how societies are fed, sometimes literally, to save their members and succeed. The chilled political allegory is disguised as a genre film.

In short, Awful It is a rare, disturbing, unskilled labor, but amazing thematic and aesthetic wealth. Film to see – or at a review – in Vod, open mind open … and bore belly.