My Writings. My Thoughts.

[Fan Film] BATMAN: Ashes To Ashes

by Manuel | | June 2nd, 2009 | Manuel, columns & rants, comics, movies, videos

Oh my god. That’s dark… and I really mean DARK. And I’m not talking about “Little twelve year old Mary got her hand shredded in the meatgrinder” dark – I’m talking about “I fuck your wife and rape your baby at the same time” dark. You heard me, I’m not making anything up here, trust me. If you are only half-way as sensitive as I am, you better go away now. Leave this blog, don’t read any further. Trust me, it’s better for your precious little mind. But if you are interested in – how ironic -one of the most depressing, compelling and visually stunning “Batman fanfilms” of all time, then I’ve got one hell of a treat for you.

The thing is, that this treat isn’t necessarily tasty, sweet and enjoyable to swallow. Believe me, I can’t blame you if you seriously want to puke it out afterwards. But you have to agree that it was, at least, an interesting new taste and that you might learn to keep it in your stomach the more you watch this fine piece of art. Believe me, if you are psychologically “screw loose” like myself – and I think you are since you are reading this blog – you WILL watch it at least two more times until you can finally judge over it.

“Ashes to Ashes” appears to be a 17 minute short film project by a bunch of very creative, and – I might almost say – visionary, french independent filmmakers, called Julien Mokrani and Samuel Bodin. Visually, it’s very VERY gothic. And if you know me, that’s in my book always a good thing. But not only does it look like the scenes were artistically ripped out of the pages of “BATMAN: Arkham Asylum”, there is a slide hint of film noir thrown in it. And what does this mean for your most favorite austrian comicbook nerd? ORGASM. What else could it possibly mean if my most favorite Batman comicbook genres got thrown together, marry each other and start to have an ongoing sex relationship? I think you got me.

The real interesting part of this story is the year it takes place in – 1938. The tale centres around the small-time gangster “Eddy” who breaks together with his two gangmates, to get mones that he needs so much for his beloved daughter, into Wayne Manor. But Blood is soon ready to split when they gut interrupted by Bruce Wayne’s faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth. With blood on their hands, the three gangsters bolt deep inside of the rotten, corrupted streets of Gotham City. But they can’t be save, since the mysterious, violent and fearsome creature – only known as the Batman – is lurking in the shadows, ready to attack and bring vengeance over them. If that’s not worse enough, Eddy has to struggle with a mass-murdering – yet unknown madman, who’s passion for murder puts a smile on his own face.

As I said in the beginning of this entry, the film really is dark. And gruesome. And violent. And therefor definitely not for everyone of my precious blog viewers. The violence and the themes in this flick are VERY graphic. But if you enjoy such Batman comics like “ARKHAM ASYLUM – A serious house on a serious earth”, “Night Cries” and “Black Orchid”, you will definitely love this (I know I did).

To watch the whole movie, check out the official website of the creators. Beside the film, it features a very interesting making-of you should definitely check out afterwards.