Kuso (2017)

So gross, it's art.

Nearly everyone, can think of a movie that makes them laugh, makes them cry, fills them with rage or gives them goosebumps.

Movies that trigger strong physical reactions are considered great, often masterpieces.

But what about a movie that nauseates you?

Do you remember any movies that actually made you vomit?

If yes, do you remember them fondly?

Is there an art to the gross-out?

Kuso, is a film that spends over 90 minutes asking that question.

Describing this movie is a very difficult task

Let’s begin with the title, Kuso (糞) is one of the very few profane words in the Japanese language.

According to Google Translate, Kuso means ‘shit’ but search around on the internet and you’ll uncover some harsher definitions.

Kuso, is indeed a film that is full of droppings, along with pus, phlegm, blood, viscera, drool and every other kind of fluid, solid or gaseous bodily discharge known to beast or humanity.

You might expect Kuso, to be a horror movie or an extreme comedy, but it is neither.

Anyone who watches it might laugh a few times, will be frightened occasionally, but will ultimately spend most of the film in a unique state of discomfort, those who can make it past the first fifteen minutes, that is.

The Plot: Honestly, I’m not sure.

There is a plot in there somewhere, but your brain will have a difficult time picking it out, because to do so requires remembering details like the names of characters and what their relationships are to one another, which will be hard to do when you are also watching scenes that involve an impacted boil coming to life (it literally talks), or people chewing concrete until all their teeth are gone or a game show host telling a contestant to “drink a jug of spit”.

I have to give credit where it is due, none of the Saw films have anything on this movie.

Kuso is the collaboration of three very talented people. It is directed by Flying Lotus, a multimedia artist mainly known for composing music and directing videos. It is very much worth the time to watch a few of his creations on YouTube which feature collaborations with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to David Lynch.

The second creator, who acts in the film and co-wrote it, is Zack Fox whose stand up material has made him a star on Comedy Central, Vice Live and garnered him voice over work on many of the Grand Theft Auto videogames.

The third creative involved is David Firth who also co-wrote and provides a voice for the impacted boil mentioned earlier.

Firth is known mainly as an animator, particularly for the extremely unsettling YouTube series, Salad Fingers.

If you are one of the few people on Earth who has not watched Salad Fingers, perhaps you should.

But I’m not sure you should watch Kuso.

Is there a list in your mind of films that reportedly contain scenes so extreme you never want to watch them?

I mentioned the Saw movies earlier, but perhaps you’re the sort of person who goes out of their way to not watch films like Pink Flamingos, Meet the Feebles, Day of the Dead, A Serbian Film, Ichi the Killer or the Human Centipede 2?

When it comes to gross-out factor, Kuso beats all of these movies.

I should mention that the film also features a great soundtrack, very impressive stop motion animation and make-up effects that probably could have won an Oscar if they weren’t so gross.

For what it’s worth, I’m glad I saw this film. I don’t think I ever want to watch it again, but I’ll never forget it.

And If you are the sort of person who seeks out extreme experiences, if you quit base jumping because it was dull or stopped eating ghost peppers because they’re too bland, then this is the movie for you.

But don’t coming crying to me if the “Mr. Quiggle” scene makes it impossible for you to ever visit the doctor again.

Or eat lobster.