The Horror, The Horror........

Rating: 9/10 (26 July 2015)

Belarusian boy is thrust into the atrocities happening during World War II, fighting with a hopelessly unequipped Soviet resistance movement against ruthless German forces.
Witnessing scenes of abject terror and surviving horrifying situations, he loses his innocence and then his mind.......
Come And See is one of those films that is essential viewing, but you will never want to experience it again, much like our protagonists experience throughout the duration of this movie.
The film has a heavy sense of dread from the word go, and to say its uncomfortable viewing isn't justifying the films content. It's a harrowing portrayal of war, and every single frame of this film is haunting to the point of it potentially damaging the viewer.
But it's not the on screen atrocities that affect the viewer, it's also a terrifying aural experience too. Dogs barking, strange Polka music, laughter whilst killing, and a strange buzzing sound depicting deafness assaults the senses as much as the visuals.
The final third is almost unbearable to watch, but what I found really disturbing was the use of the actors looking into the camera, right at you, as almost to say, 'are you seeing this?'. When Floyra first meets Glasha properly, they are both crying, but then the crying turns to laughter, almost maniacal laughter, and it reminded me of a piece I saw at the Tate Modern, two faces saying the same words, but in ever going states of emotion.
It's not an easy film to watch, and some may even call it propaganda, but unlike some exploitation films that are unbearable on the verge of offensive, this is an important piece of cinema, it really puts you in the middle of a losing battle, knowing that major atrocities are happening all around you, but all you can do is watch.
It's a beautiful piece of cinema, everyone should seek it out, but I have no intention of seeing it again.
Heartbreaking.