Man Bites Dog (1992)
"C'est arrivé près de chez vous" (original title)

In this dark satire, a film crew follows a ruthless thief and heartless killer as he goes about his daily routines. But complications set in when the film crew loses their abjectness and begin lending a hand.

Directors:

Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel,

Writers:

Rémy Belvaux (story), Rémy Belvaux (screenplay),

Stars:

Benoît Poelvoorde, Jacqueline Poelvoorde-Pappaert, Nelly Pappaert

6 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Benoît Poelvoorde	...	Ben
Jacqueline Poelvoorde-Pappaert	...	Ben's Mother (as Jacqueline Poelvoorde Pappaert)
Nelly Pappaert	...	Ben's Grandmother
Hector Pappaert	...	Ben's Grandfather
Jenny Drye	...	Jenny
Malou Madou	...	Malou
Willy Vandenbroeck	...	Boby
Rachel Deman	...	Mamie Tromblon
André Laime	...	Bed-ridden Old Man
Édith Le Merdy	...	Nurse (as Edith Lemerdy)
Sylviane Godé	...	Rape Victim (Martine)
Zoltan Tobolik	...	Rape Victim's Husband
Valérie Parent	...	Valerie
Alexandra Fandango	...	Kalifa
Olivier Cotica	...	Benichou

Storyline

A camera crew follows a serial killer/thief around as he exercises his craft. He expounds on art, music, nature, society, and life as he offs mailmen, pensioners, and random people. Slowly he begins involving the camera crew in his activities, and they begin wondering if what they're doing is such a good idea, particularly when the killer kills a rival and the rival's brother sends a threatening letter.

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Plot Keywords:

film crew | satire | grandmother grandson relationship | hungarian | eating | 

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Taglines:

A Killer Comedy

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for strong graphic violence

Details

Country:

Belgium

Language:

French

Release Date:

15 January 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Man Bites Dog

Filming Locations:

Brussels, Brussels-Capital, Belgium

Box Office

Budget:

BEF 1,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$205,569 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Artistes Anonymes

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min 92 min (edited)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to an essay André wrote, Ben's family didn't know anything about the plot of the film. Ben's mother and grandparents thought they were filming raw footage of Ben, and had no idea that the footage was going to be used in a film in which Ben is a serial killer. Ben's mother was shocked to see her son behind bars, when she comes to visit him in prison.

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Goofs

When Ben gets a holster for his birthday, he asks them to bring his revolver so he can try it out. But they don't bring a revolver, they bring him a semi-automatic pistol.

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Quotes

Ben: Granny Snuff, ever been snuffed out?

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Connections

References Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

User Reviews

Like Nothing You've Ever Seen

I'd have to rank this with "Henry, Portrait Of A Serial Killer" as one of the sickest and disturbing films I've ever seen. But like "Henry," it's fascinating.....and certainly different.

It is a fake (thank goodness!) documentary with sleazy cameramen following around a serial killer as the latter murders a bunch of people while spouting philosophy between killings. Some of the demented killer's words are downright funny because of their absurdity. Perhaps that is why this is labeled by some as a black comedy, but this is so dark it is difficult for me to rate this as a comedy, even though it's there.

Most of the killings are not gruesome but there are a few that qualify for that status. They don't dwell on the blood but they don't spare anything in here, either. This film is so strange, so bizarre that one has to see it believe it. That is not just a cliché. You have not seen a film like this: I guarantee it.

A couple of Belgians - Benoit Poelvoorde, Remy Belvaux and Andre Bonzel

• did almost all the work on this movie: writing, directing, editing

and acting. They were new to the business, had little money and wanted to make a film with those limited resources....and they succeeded very well.