13 Tzameti

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Horrorphile - July 2008

13 (Tzameti)

July 1st 2008 01:53

Finally getting a DVD release down under in a few months, writer/director Géla Babluani’s stark and brutal thriller 13 (2005). Tzameti is Georgian for “13”, which is the director’s nationality), and it's a superbly-etched nightmare that spells deep trouble for inherent gamblers and reckless opportunists.

Sébastien (director’s brother George Babluani) is a 22-year-old renovator employed to work on a villa to help his poverty-stricken family. He needs some big bucks fast, and fixing r0of tiles ain’t gonna get him rich anytime soon. So when he inadvertently overhears an intriguing conversation whilst on the roof, through a hole in the ceiling, between Godon’s wife (Olga Legrand) and a colleague of Godon’s. Sébastien pricks his ears.

The house’s owner Jean-François Godon (Phillipe Passon) is involved in some kind of clandestine arrangement, but he’s a junkie, and it’s soon apparent he’s not up for the job. His wife has received a letter addressed to Godon, which gives specific instructions, directions and a train ticket to the country. It is this letter which, by the breeze of fate, ends up in young Sébastien’s hands. He promptly finishes up and flees the scene.

George Babluani is number 13

Soon enough Sébastien finds himself in embroiled in a meeting with shady figures, but he’s determined to acquire the large amount of money promised in the conversation he eavesdropped in on. He has only one option, continue on with the charade.

Aurelien Recoing is number 6

Eventually he makes a rendezvous at a country crossroads and is driven to a chateau in the forest. It is here where the real action will take place; a pitch-black game for nihilists, blood money for the morally decadent, odds staked very high.

The trigger for death

Shot in stunning monochrome with bold camerawork, 13 is a finely executed movie that demands your attention. So good is the cinematography, that although the contrast is very high, it is exceptionally well lit that you are never confused by the use of darkness. The narrative is briskly-paced, and the screenplay is sensationally acted, especially lead player 13 (Babluani), but also his competition nemesis, player 6 (Aurélien Recoing), and in the movie’s first third; Passon and Legrand.

Sebastien cold sweats between rounds

Although the movie doesn’t really hold any real surprises, it still manages to command a strong sense of originality. For the most part it is very realistic (the far-fetched nature of the game itself and the associated gambling aside), however I do have a bone to pick; playing Russian roulette (point blank) would result in a very messy situation, with much blood, bone and brain everywhere, yet director Babluani has taken poetic licence and used only blood, and very sparingly. The violence is still palpable, but the realism of the bloody outcome of each round is highly restrained.

Sebastien is trapped in a game of chance and death

As is expected these days (although I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner) Hollywood is in production on a remake, apparently with Brad Pitt signed on (he instigated getting the film rights). Yet again I wonder why bother? The French original is almost perfect. The only thing an American remake could do to add anything remotely interesting would be to film it in colour and throw more blood and gore into the mix, but to be brutally honest, 13 is a nightmare that works much better in this stylised noir guise.

Here is the international trailer:

And here is the American trailer:

13 (Tzameti) DVD is courtesy of Siren Visual, many thanks!

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Posted By: Bryn - Category: movie reviews

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Comments

4 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Cibbuano

July 1st 2008 02:17

20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak

bryn, great review. I suspect they're remaking the movie in Hollywood because English viewers will watch it if it's in English and starring Brad Pitt.

Comment by Damo

July 1st 2008 04:55

For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics

I like it already.

It looks intense.

I do not mind Pitt. He was good as a gypsy in the Snatch

Comment by David O'Connell

July 1st 2008 05:37

Screen Fanatic

I didn't think the lead actor was particularly good (he doesn't have much range), but I agree it's an excellent film, I've recommended it to a few people. Sorry to hear about the remake..............maybe David Fincher could take the reins! (Wishful thinking of course!)

Comment by Bryn

July 1st 2008 07:56

Horrorphile

David, now there's the right director!!!

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