Long Pigs Review

Before I get started, I’d like to explain my reasoning behind reviewing a little independent movie that’s almost five years old. Due to a limited budget and minor league distribution deal, it’s fair to say that Long Pigs has been overlooked by many horror fanatics simply because of it’s lack of juice. It hasn’t got the pre-production notoriety of something like Troy Duffy’s ‘Boondock Saints’, although I’m positive that with enough word of mouth, this modest little Canadian picture could achieve cult classic status.

With the “faux footage” genre so overcrowded these days, it’s easy to jump on the hater bandwagon. I mean, who’d blame you? What started out as a good thing has rapidly been watered down and reduced to mere cheap thrills via loud noises and blurry bogeymen. That said, there are a few notable exceptions out there and Long Pigs; a “mockumentary” telling the story of a serial killing cannibal, is one of them.

Nathan Hynes and Chris Power (both playing themselves) are two aspiring film makers who set out to document the day to day comings and goings of Anthony McAlistair; a serial killer with a fondness of the culinary arts and a taste for human flesh. Anthony has granted the duo an all access pass into his personal life, and it’s not long before they find themselves captivated by their subject. For beyond the murdered prostitutes and home made stews, dwells a warm hearted, albeit morally inept recluse with a terminally sick mother. Making the unfortunate mistake of getting too involved with their work, the blundering documentarians quickly find themselves accomplices to Anthony’s violent pastime. However, not ones to shy away from what they undoubtedly believe to be a guaranteed career maker, the guys power on, and somewhere between the murder, butchering and barbecue, their own moral turpitude is questionable.

Long Pigs was released in 2007 under a very low budget of an estimated £250k (Canadian). It received critical praise from some of the smaller festivals, but never managed to secure a major distribution deal. This is a real shame, because clearly a lot of thought, hard word, effort and passion went into production.

Considering this was his debut role, Anthony Alviano is a remarkable driving force as the movie’s centrepiece. He truly does humanize the depraved McAlistair. Not so much that one may understand this individual, nor is one likely to root for him, but I certainly found myself accepting McAlistair as an all too real monster, and dare I say it; at times even sympathising with the more humane aspects of his being.    Equal praise must be given to Chris Power and Nathan Hynes, who also wrote the film’s screenplay. Sure, one must suspend belief to invest in the movie’s concept, but the sheer depth in character development and plotting is outstanding.

Long Pigs is ultimately a jet black comedy of sorts, but it’s also a serious character study and a visual think piece. It pushes moral boundaries and blurs the line between entertainment and exploitation, but the end product is so well presented, it seems ridiculous to shun such a movie for it’s use of sensitive subject matter (you’ll see what I mean especially in the third act).

Of course, this movie won’t be for everyone; it’s a low budget independent movie through and through. And, of course, the premise is so absurd that you’ll hardly find yourself overly engrossed on an emotional level. But if you fancy something a little outside the box; something with a little more provocative than your average Friday Night Fright, then Long Pigs comes highly recommended.

Long Pigs is available on DVD through most reputable online retailers.

Ry’s rating – 3.75 Out of 5.