It took four years to complete, but independent feature film Cabrito has finally completed post-production edits and is already gearing up to take over the world as an official selection in Sitges 2020. An anthology of sorts, Cabrito was created from the absolutely bizarre mind of Luciano de Azevedo. While I was lucky enough to view each segment as they were produced, it was a completely different scenario watching Cabrito in its full, unholy glory; and with an added prologue and new stylistic edits. Featured in this film is every realm of horror; from murder to torture to satanic cults and other religious cults, gore, cannibalism, suspense, blurred lines created by psychological mayhem, the hunt between predator and prey, and so much more. Please don’t be turned off by the fact that this narrative is set to subtitles because it’s a gritty and macabre experimentation with just the earthiest splash of cultural depravity.
Comprised of three segments – “Cabrito,” “Rosalita,” and “Released from Love” – Cabrito stars a ton of talented cast members including Fernanda Thurann, Samir Hauaji, Ramon Brant, Iuri Alvarenga, Fernanda Welter, Mia Mozart, Madelina Carcereri, Hussan Fadel, Sandra Emilia, Pri Helena, Nino de Barros, Luciana Fins, Ana Laura Pomp and Jorge Foguinho. Luciano de Azevedo served as writer, director, cinematographer and editor; with supporting crew members including producers Juliana Espindola and Yuri Westermann, and cinematographer Otavio Pupo. These people all played major roles in making Cabrito the type of atmospheric picture that brutally attacks all five of your senses. This tactic, especially when in the horror genre, needs to be executed with expert precision; and Luciano, his cast and crew, and the country of Brazil really brought their A game. This one’s going to play in a lot more venues besides Sitges, so get your ass in a seat and get ready to be uncomfortable as fuck!
When reviewing a flick like this, which is so easy to rave about, I need to try and reel it back a little bit and look for some level of constructive criticism. Besides suggesting putting extra effort into making sure every installment in the trilogy has the same level of impact, I honestly can’t find anything to bitch about here. Cabrito is a bloody, sweaty and demented look at an oppressive family in a rural setting. It’s hopeless and debilitating and it’s not the type of scary movie where the characters walk away with a happy ending. It’s the type of movie where YOU walk away feeling dirty and genuinely unnerved. Over the years, I never thought Cabrito would come together as cohesively as it did and the turn out was worth the time and effort put into production. Luciano de Azevedo established himself as a director to watch out for, whether he’s in this genre or another; and once again horror from around the globe has eclipsed the PG13 material churned out by Hollywood executives.
Cabrito is dark, folks, but it comes highly recommended.
Final Score: 10 out of 10.
