Found
Directed by Scott Schirmer
USA, 2012
PLOT
Marty and Steve are two brothers living with their parents in a rather troubled situation: Marty, the younger one, is bullied at school by his classmates, and Steve, the older brother, displays an unruly teenage character. One day, Marty, secretly rummaging through his brother’s room, finds a severed head inside a bowling bag in the closet. This will be the first clue that leads the young boy to discover the terrible secret Steve is hiding.
CONSIDERATIONS
**Found** is the kind of movie you don’t expect, detailing a family and social situation that could exist in hundreds of towns and cities around the world. The complicated parent-child relationship, bullying, teenage issues that escalate into perverse fantasies, and bursts of anger serve merely as the backdrop and pretext for a story about how a twisted relationship can turn into a full-blown obsession (as in the case of the two — brilliant — brothers in the lead roles).
Steve is determined to protect his brother from bullies, parents, and even from himself by any means necessary.
His instability is reflected in his gaze, the reasoning he shares with his brother Marty, a delicate and sensitive soul, contrasting with the dreamy, estranged philosophies of the younger boy.
All of this urban and domestic philosophy is suddenly demolished by the explosive violence seen in the film Headless, in Steve’s fits of rage, and in the terrifying and deeply disturbing finale.
Found is a film that won’t go unnoticed, as evidenced by the many awards it received at festivals. It is very well made, with strong writing and depth given to the two young protagonists, who stand out in a screenplay that may feel familiar but incorporates significant elements that personalize the movie.
A noteworthy mention goes to the soundtrack: ambient and electronic music that fits perfectly with the visuals.
The complete film is available, though in its original language, on YouTube.
PANDEMONIC MOMENT
The finale is a whirlwind of violence and discomfort, hard to digest.
However, a mention goes to the scene where Marty and his friend watch the VHS of Headless (which belongs to Steve): the splatter and violence in that moment is quite striking.
