Login

Extreme Cinema

The films listed below are (in)famous for arousing controversy on their initial release, be it for explicit scenes of violence, sex or extreme political beliefs . The best films in this collection use their notorious elements not merely to shock, but to provoke ('Salo' uses its disturbing sequences, borrowed from Sade, as a comment on Fascism, whilst the sickening rape scene in 'The Accused' rightly refused to soften the depiction of this despicable crime). The following films can still cause impassioned debate, in some cases decades after they were made... See also the category 'Asia Extreme'. Right: One of the most shocking debuts 'Man Bites Dog'.

El Topo (1971)

7.5/10
Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky

Aka "The Mole." "I ask of film what most North Americans' ask of psychedelic drugs" said Writer, Director and star Alexandro Jodorowsky of this stunni... Read more

Funny Games (1997)

7.6/10
Director: Michael Haneke
Starring: Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Muhe, Frank Geiring, Arno Frisch

At the start of the summer holiday, Anna, Georg and their young son Georgie travel to their idyllic lakeside house; their neighbours, Fred and Eva are... Read more

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

7/10
Director: John McNaughton
Starring: Michael Rooker, Tom Towles, Tracy Arnold

Based on the shocking true story of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, Michael Rooker delivers an unforgettable performance of ferocious intensity as Henr... Read more

I Spit On Your Grave (1978)

5.7/10
Director: Meir Zarchi
Starring: Camille Keaton

One of the most sick, disturbing movies ever made and previously banned in New Zealand, this is the film that instigated the knee-jerk Video Nasty Leg... Read more

I Stand Alone ( aka Seul Contre Tous ) (1998)

7.5/10
Director: Gaspar Noe
Starring: Philippe Nahon, Blandine Lenoir, Frankye Pain, Martine Audrain

"My life is very simple, it's a loser's life. The story of an ordinary man. Only today I am starting my life over. Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Today, I... Read more

Ichi the Killer (2001)

7.1/10
Director: Takashi Miike
Starring: Tadanobu Asano, Nao Omori, Shinya Tsukamoto

Welcome to a world where violence is a virtue and depravity is a way of life. This is the underside of Shinjuku, and the home of Kakihara, a sadistic... Read more

In The Realm Of The Senses (1976)

6.6/10
Director: Nagisa Oshima
Starring: Aio Nakajima, Eiko Matsuda, Tatsuya Fuji

Tells of the bizarre true-to-life love affair between a gangster and a prostitute in 1930s Japan. Highlighted by lush visuals and graphic sex, as well... Read more

Intimacy (2000)

6.2/10
Director: Patrice Chereau
Starring: Mark Rylance, Kerry Fox, Timothy Spall

Kerry Fox and Mark Rylance give noteworthy performances in this tale of one man's sexual obsession and emotional weaknesses. This controversial offeri... Read more

Kids (1995)

7/10
Director: Larry Clark
Starring: Leo Fitzpatrick, Justin Pierce, Chloe Sevigny

Famed photographer Larry Clark makes his directorial debut with this sensational story of teenage life in Manhattan. Ignoring the challenge posed by A... Read more

Lipstick (1976)

5.3/10
Director: Lamont Johnson
Starring: Anne Bancroft, Margaux Hemingway, Mariel Hemingway, Chris Sarandon

A controversial account of the rape of a high-fashion model (Margaux Hemingway) and her violent revenge. Mariel Hemingway (Margaux's real-life sister)... Read more