This was a complete and utter waste of time. I have never seen a Hungarian film before, and "Taxidermia" sure didn't leave much of a great impression.This was bizarre and over the top, and seemed more like an exhibition of freakshow more than it was a movie. There was a lot of strange and bizarre things being shown in the movie, and a bit too much sexual contents in my opinion, which leads to viewer discretion.The story is about three extreme people, in each their own way. But neither of the stories told really had much worth or entertainment to it. And it seemed this was all about just getting as much weird stuff crammed into each story as possible.Everything in the movie is very graphic and visual, and there are many scenes that could prove too much some some viewers.I am sure that the people hired for the roles were doing good enough jobs. I just didn't care one bit for this movie, so I didn't really pay much attention to their performances.There was just too much avant-garde film-making in this movie for my liking. But I am sure there is an audience out there for it.

This movie was shown late at night...and on reflection, I have NO idea why I chose to tape it... or subsequently watch it! Its one of those of those movies where I suggest you DON'T watch with friends or snacking! Saying that, watching it with friends may help find the 'comedy' that this movie is classed as.The movie is set over 3 different generations. And three distinctive stories involving the men in this generational story.The first generation is set during or after the second world war in an undisclosed location featuring a Private and his superior and his Superior's family.. I think. The Crux of this story is centred on the very disturbed perversions of the Private.The second generation is centred on what seems to be two obese Hungarian competitors in an eating competition that, in this fictional world, is deemed to be of Olympic Standard. They also seek the attentions of One competitor's wife.The third generation seems remotely normal in comparison to his father and grandfather! However he is equally disturbed, but in a completely different way. He takes pride in his profession as a taxidermist. Seemingly willing to stuff ANYTHING.Cinematically, yes, the photography is good. But the plots are actually to disturbing to really see the overall positive in the movie.Visuals include urinating fire, bestiality, heavy paedophilia overtones and ejaculating to the stars! And that's just the first story...If you can get through story one, I guarantee you will struggle through story two as the is scene after scene of eating and projectile vomiting. If you want a family member to go on a diet, then this is story you should use(!) Story three is more cinematically pleasing in what has to be the strangest 90 minutes I have ever sat through. There's a moment of karma that probably will leave the viewer with a slight smile on their face if only for just a moment.What's actually odd is that the more I write about this movie, the more it sticks in my mind. Whether its a film you really want to stick in your mind is entirely up to the viewer! All I can say is that its a movie that you HAVE to see once, but if you are sane enough... that is all you really need!

What do you get when you put together an orderly during WWII, a professional eater, and a taxidermist? Well, I'll tell you. You get a concoction of grotesque imagery, hilarious situations and a strong need for a shower. This is a story about a very strange Hungarian family over the course of three generations. A disturbing film with a lot of dark comedy "Taxidermia" also provides an intelligent commentary on the lengths humans take with their obsessions of the body."Taxidermia" is director György Pálfi second feature film following the highly unique "Hukkle". Pálfi takes a more discomforting turn in this outing but keeps the dark humor he showcased in his first feature. This film has it's "WTF" moments, but in the end it is a well made film with some unforgettable scenes and a successfully artsy ending."Taxidermia" is film about three generations of Hungarians. First, an orderly during WWII who is abused and mistreated. During a night of insanity he fathers an illegitimate son who ends up being raised by the orderly's Lieutenant. The son grows to be a champion in the sport of speed eating, a sport that is on the brink of epicness it seems. Finally the speed eater marries and produces a skinny pale son who grows to be a skilled taxidermist. We witness the psychosis of the orderly, the gluttony of speed eating and finally the beauty of the taxidermist. Be prepared to laugh, puke, laugh and puke a little more.Visually the film is remarkable. Cinematographer Gergely Pohárnok returns from "Hukkle" providing excellent camera transitions and some unique "crane" shots. Veronika Merlin's art direction is also wonderful, the set pieces and costumes were very impressive and lent to the films gloomy yet comedic undertones. Along with the photography the music was phenomenal. Scored primarily by electronic artist Amon Tobin, I would say the music was the highlight for me.Make no mistake about it, "Taxidermia" is a difficult watch. Most probably won't even get through the first sequence. But with an open mind and an understanding of where this film is coming from it can be a very enjoyable experience. The mixture of troubling visuals, intelligent inner commentary and family relationship lessons makes this an easy recommendation for me.I look forward to more from director György Pálfi. I've enjoyed his first two films and know that his uniqueness will bring forth even more depraved yet intelligent films in the future.

Taxidermia is a beautiful film in many respects, and it never ceases to amaze me that this is only György Pálfi's second film. Having seen his first feature Hukkle previously, it is clear that Pálfi pays great attention to detail, and perhaps places the greatest importance on sound design. A great example of this would be the scene wherein Lajos (played by Marc Bischoff) extracts his own organs – the visceral image of each individual organ sliding out of the body becomes infinitely more repulsive accompanied by the appropriate Foley sounds, deliberately amplified to draw us closer to the 'action'. Amon Tobin's skulking score helps to identify the tone as dark and sinister.Though I haven't read Lajos Parti Nagy's short stories, the source material from which each character originates, I loved the theme of animalism and the deadly sins. Each member of the Balatony family seemed to exhibit the physical and spiritual traits of an animal – Morosgoványi as the lustful rabbit (compare his hare-lip), Kálmán as the gluttonous pig (complete with truncated tail), and Lajos as the vainglorious bird (his gaunt face also brings to mind the skull traditionally seen in vanitas paintings). Pálfi enriches this theme by having each character physically deconstruct real animals - Morosgoványi has sex in the corpse of a pig, Kálmán gorges on various animals, and Lajos stuffs animals for a living. As each man dies as a result of his sin, one could suggest that Pálfi is criticising man's hypocrisy for judging others without recognising his own flaws.