The recently released film Raw Meat and Crack by young filmmaker Zak Waddington takes viewers on a journey of mental deterioration. The film takes the form of an eerie dramatic monologue delivered by actor Yacine Abed in the role of Salem.
What is immediately striking are the visuals of the film. Waddington utilises lighting and a black and white filter which really contributes to the atmosphere of the piece. The editing is another highlight, reflecting great skill and creative ambition.
The music combined with the sound and visual editing creates an overwhelming feeling, representing the mental state of the protagonist. All of these elements come together to make the audience feel as though they are being hypnotised and also slowly losing control of their minds. Abed’s performance is transfixing and he embodies the deterioration compellingly. As the centre of the film, he creates a gravity that holds the whole piece together.
When the visuals turn horrifying, the descent into psychosis becomes more of a reality. Madness, terror and pain bleed through the screen, dragging the audience into Salem’s twisted world. And yet there is still something oddly beautiful and lyrical about the film – Waddington captures this tension masterfully.
As an experimental aesthetic journey, Raw Meat and Crack ticks all the boxes and I look forward to seeing more of Zak Waddington’s filmmaking in the future
Watch now on YouTube