Divided Into Zero

In `Le théâtre de la cruauté' Antonin Artaud wrote of a theatre that shakes and awakens the heart and the nerve of the audience. Director Mitch Davis transposes this point of view in cinema with his movie `Divided Into Zero'. The power of the images contribute to provide an intense experience into psychological violence and aesthetic research: through a non-linear structure, a freedom of reading is given to the viewer. The presence of cruelty, the fabric of violence includes in a poetic aesthetic; in this way, the violence depicted isn't gratuitous. It has a deep significance which takes its source into a slow narrative thread and fast short scenes which give the film all of its rhythm. The composition of the frame is a force of Davis. The closeup on the young girl's face, bleeding, (played by Mikaeka Davis, the director's young sister, who doubles actress Stephanie Keepman in this scene) is unforgettable: her intense, mouth-gaping gaze, makes me shudder. David Kristian's sound design goes with fluidity with the entire film; the ambient music compositions of Teruhiko Suzukia and Kristian are becoming a discreet actor.

`Divided Into Zero' is a hybrid film, navigating between horror and art film; it brilliantly demonstrates and stretches the spectrum of horror film's possibilities.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most unshakeable visions of hell I have ever encountered. Divided Into Zero rubs in it's bleak logic with a slow, eerie calm. Predictable comparisons with 'Salo' and 'In A Glass Cage' are inevitable and probably justified, but Divided Into Zero is all the more disturbing in that we have only one character during it's 40-odd minutes to attempt any understanding of. In the end, we become as deeply rooted in this soulless man's agony as he is.

Many viewers will be incapable of absorbing it's uncompromising graphic sensibility, with long shots of self inflicted razor punishment, piss drinking, and child murder. Those who do, however, will have a part of themselves forever changed.

Whether this is a good thing or bad thing, I can't say, and don't feel is very important, ultimately. The film offers vitality, anger, and extreme images that have more purpose, more INTENT, than simple minded shock value.

It's true cut-throat cinema.

A remedy...not only for mediocre filmgoing, but for any unaffirmed need to see your own taboos brought to life in color, screaming.

Following the life of a murderer and paedophile,"Divided Into Zero" juxtaposes three important stages of a diseased mind:aged 10,as a disturbed boy who suffered the loss of his parents;a dangerous 30-year-old leaving behind hellish tableaux,attempting to wash away his sins among the company of whores;and a twisted old hermit of a man who–at the age of 70–kidnaps a girl whom he nails to a wall."Divided Into Zero" is a cold and deeply disturbing horror short which features plenty of unsettling violence with lashings of paedophilia on display.The killer–or Wanderer–defines his tortured feelings in remarkable and passionless detail.Despite knowing the extent of his problems,he performs them with religious conviction.Like "Subconscious Cruelty","Divided Into Zero" is a bleak and transgressive film.Recommeded only for more open-minded viewers.9 out of 10.

`Divided Into Zero' is one of my favourite horror films. This haunting reflection of an aged Madman digs deeper into the aberrant psyche than any film I have ever seen. Imagine that same assault you felt when first viewing `Texas Chainsaw', coupled with a heady dose of Dostoevski. `Divided Into Zero' is that good. The disembodied narration of John Alton Jr. exposes the tortured soul of a man who is fascinated by `bleeding fine cuts' and feels relief in the searing urine of prostitutes. Other film portraits of psychosis and serial killers have been more brutal, but none more honest, controlled, and cerebral than what you'll find here. Gritty photography by Karim Hussain; Sound Design by David Kristian; and Score by Teruhiko Suzuki contribute greatly to the film's power. Writer\Director\Editor Mitch Davis strikes dark genius with this one.

Titles that are written, produced and directed by the same person are commercially damned from the beginning. Although I wanted to give this film a zero, facts remain that the story is indeed well worth telling. However, production quality of this film robs the story of its possible impact. College films have done better in the FX department. Although Mitch Davis tries vehemently to convince you that he knows the inner workings of a criminal mind, he still doesn't reach it. Not that I have first hand knowledge, but research is valuable tool best tapped for such an endeavor. Mr. Davis seems bent on trying to become the next Tobe Hooper, Lucio Fulci, Dario Argento or even George Romero. When it comes to a subject of the mind more than one (mind) is needed to flesh out a believable story. This movie feels like a whining attempt of Mr. Davis attempting to convince his audience that HE truly knows what drives a man to this kind of self loathing. I am afraid that there are much more better examples (including the independent film makers) of criminal/audience alliances.