New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 2 | Page 24

sell the film ’ s conceit in blackly comic style , the latter proving herself gifted with crackerjack comic timing . As a director , Ducournau displays a talent for comic staging , always placing her camera in the ideal place to make the most of the film ’ s many comic scenarios , cutting at just

Though it ’ s outwardly a horror movie , Raw is one of the all-time great college comedies , albeit a very Central European take on the sub-genre

subsequently consumed by Justine , the shy teen turns to cannibalism . Justine ’ s newfound insatiable desire for meat also leads her down a path of sexual awakening , with her unfortunate gay roommate becoming the victim of her secondary lust . Her growing reputation leads to stigmatisation from her fellow students following a party in which Justine attempts to snog anyone in sight and ends up the subject of a damning viral video . If all this sounds ridiculous , well it ’ s because Raw is essentially ridiculous , but Ducournau ’ s straight direction and Marillier ’ s deadpan tortured performance the right moment to accentuate the absurdity of the situation and extend a laugh . She also has an eye for a striking image , none more so than a visually audacious scene in which Justine and a male student , the former dowsed in blue paint , the latter in yellow , are locked in a room and told they can ’ t leave until both have “ turned green .”

NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol . 4 No . 2

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