In a mortuary, two coroners are working who occasionally take certain liberties with the corpses, all in order to satisfy their own needs. One of them goes a step further when the body of a woman arrives on the autopsy table, exploiting her to the very limit.
Personally, I had heard far too much praise about this film to truly appreciate it. I expected something stronger and was almost disappointed. It is certainly not for the sensitive viewer, but after having seen quite a lot over the years I have become fairly hardened — or perhaps rather desensitized.
It is not a long film, only about thirty minutes in length, but I believe it would have lost quite a lot had it been longer. It feels complete when it ends, and it is quite extreme after all. Naturally, this is a very graphically portrayed story, but that does not prevent a certain sense of artistry from emerging in the process. This film is art, made to shock, and it is highly controversial.
There is no dialogue in the film, which actually makes it more interesting. The viewer has to make a bit more effort, and it also leaves room for multiple interpretations. The only speech that occurs is a short prologue before the film begins, presenting a few philosophical questions about life after death.
The tension works well in the beginning as the two coroners begin their work, and it almost feels as if there is some uncertainty and rivalry between them. The autopsy scenes are explicit and realistic, although the amplified sound effects can almost have the opposite effect on the realism.
What almost affected me the most in this sick story was the nonchalance with which one of the coroners stuffs the examined intestines, brain, and other organs back into the corpse. But even that is only the tip of the iceberg — things become far messier than that. When the other coroner mounts the female corpse and takes photographs during the act, one knows that the climax has been reached.
As mentioned, one expects quite a lot from a film like this, and throughout it is fairly clear what is about to happen. A very strong and sick film, but with an almost humorous ending. If you like this film, then you are truly perverse — and so am I.
