User Reviews

Asudem is most desirably weird. it is not scary but it keeps you on the edge of your seat for 90 minutes. the story is again absolutely original. you are watching a woman in the woods, during a war we would never see. she and her dog live in solitude, are scared, and confused and dazed from the start of the story. we hear the horrific sounds of war almost throughout the picture.the sound is done greatly by Tom Dokoupil. this surreal and haunting film has been shot as if somewhere on Earth and again like all films by Shokof where one would never know where we are. Everything is extraordinary and yet simply possible . the lighting system in the film is almost a revolution all by itself. one source of a light has been used throughout the film(as he said in the press conference after the film,s screening in Babylon Cinema in Berlin). this only light source throughout the film has been given into the hands of the great actress Yangzom Brauen who masterfully follows incredible guidance of this master Director to light the scenes resembling paintings of Rembrandt on many ocassions. The scenes are magnificent in black and white and using shadows add another great concept to this fantastic picture which reminds one of great old classic masterpieces with the difference that modernity of the concept is stunning in addition to what we have always seen many years ago. the woman,s situation becomes more and more terrible as the level of the evils appearing to haunt her life grow gradually. another most interesting element of all Shokof films are his sense of unique humor that i have never seen anywhere else.we get to even see the vampire showing up in a most unexpected scene, as the vampire oddly pumps life into her almost lifeless body after she has just attempted suicide. weird, poetic, and really ahead of the standards of the Industry and or even Independent films today. the miserable appearances continue until the Satan himself finally shows up . she is creative again to feed Satan hallucinating mushrooms in the hope that Satan would have heavenly dreams and die in fear of the heavens. one should have imaginations of fierce dimensions to start making such movies. Asudem has again my 10 for i can not compare Shokof,s films to anyone and or any other movies to give his films a 0 and or a 100? i only know he makes films uniquely Shokofian style.He has obviously influenced many Directors the world around with these amazing thoughtful unique, and most original pictures.

to begin with i do not understand IMDb ratings and suggest not to bother anymore either. the films by shokof and most specifically seven servants and asudem( which i have seen both) do not fit any rating categories, except you would have a rating for the most original films, and if so,then add all his movies to the top of such a list. asudem, is a most brilliant film telling a strange story(like all shokof films) in a strange mood,inside a most strange space, and even containing a more strange lines spoken in a film (like his seven servant). the film is way above any daring cinematography, and or even usual independent film directing and in black and white. it is more daring how he has used only one source of light (his method in 3 more films with resounding results),and a most satisfying act by yangzom brauen (her best for sure amongst 3 films i have seen with her), and the rating is a one star?! i checked the rating 2 weeks ago and it stood at a near 10? i checked the voting history and it does not justify the one star either? however, and whatever and whenever anyone gives a no star for shokof films i see it necessary and just to suggest that may be in another 100 years his films get the stars they deserve, just like a good wine they will get much more precious as time passes. asudem gets another 10 from me for being righteously , out-explained by other writer as being out of this world. a great movie, with cult written all over it and like all other films by this amazing thinker,true artist,filmmaker of our times.