Fine Line Features
Starring: Nick Sutton, Jacob Reynolds, Darby Dougherty
Directed by: Harmony Korine
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: A harsh, controversial film about a random group of residents in Xenia, Ohio, after it has been hit by a tornado.
Kitty Carnage Warning! We’ll cut right to the chase. This is NOT a film for anyone who cannot stand to see violence against cats. The main characters of the film, two boys named Tummler (Nick Sutton) and Solomon (Jacob Reynolds) are seen killing numerous cats which they take to the grocer who then sells them to the local Chinese restaurant, as does another character who becomes competition for them. The cats are seen being killed or having been killed and there are numerous shots of deceased cats and cats being injured. The American Humane Association rated the film Acceptable and explained that both fake and already dead cats were used and that no real cats were harmed. We will spare you photos of most of these scenes. But one example is near the beginning of the film when a white cat is seen being carried by the scruff and then dunked into a barrel of water. The real cat was placed in an empty barrel and a fake cat was used for the water shots. The American Humane Association explained the cat was relaxed while shooting this scene and was carried by the scruff for only 35 feet. They also explained that the actor was moving his wrist to make the cat squirm. Either way, the cat looks clearly uncomfortable and it’s remarkable that the AHA didn’t at least condemn the represented killings in the film even if no cats were actually hurt.
Featured Feline: A trio of sisters own a black cat named Foot Foot. Tummler and Solomon spot the cat in a yard and Tummler is about to shoot her when Solomon stops him, explaining it is a housecat.
The littlest sister, Darby (Darby Dougherty), comes out and picks up Foot Foot, taking her inside to her sisters.
The sisters comment about how they think Foot Foot is pregnant and examine her.
Later in the film the girls are seen bathing Foot Foot in a sink.
Foot Foot eventually goes missing and unfortunately doesn’t fare any better than the other cats in the film.
Kitty Cameo: In a few shots an orange tabby cat is seen with no explanation.
Final Mewsings: Cats better steer clear of Xenia, Ohio!
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