C'est arrivé près de chez vous (Man Bites Dog) (It Happened in Your Neighborhood) (1991)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Reid V

  
  A shocking and engaging mockumentary that takes a unique and often difficult look at violence in our society. The subject of the film Benoit is disturbingly believable as the maniacal yet oddly likeable sociopath. While Benoit participates in extraordinary acts of violence, the… More
  A shocking and engaging mockumentary that takes a unique and often difficult look at violence in our society. The subject of the film Benoit is disturbingly believable as the maniacal yet oddly likeable sociopath. While Benoit participates in extraordinary acts of violence, the filmmakers do a great job making sure that we are entertained the entire time. In that way we are giving consent for the madness to continue. Even as the camera crew in the film began to become more and more complicit in Benoit's crimes, we as the audience can share in their wonder. It is a well made film and even though it is hard to watch at times, you cannot help but watch. It is violent entertainment critiquing violence as entertainment and it does a very good job at achieving that goal.

• Melvin W

  
  "Once I buried two Arabs in a wall over there... Facing Mecca, of course.". Man Bites Dog is a very shocking, disturbing, and darkly funny documentary style film. It's one of the best documentary style films I've seen. The content isn't for everyone and is… More
  "Once I buried two Arabs in a wall over there... Facing Mecca, of course.". Man Bites Dog is a very shocking, disturbing, and darkly funny documentary style film. It's one of the best documentary style films I've seen. The content isn't for everyone and is very graphic. A rape scene in this makes the one from A Clockwork Orange look like PBS television. The themes of this film are interesting in the least. What makes the film terrifying is the fact that there are people like this in the world. They aren't easy to spot. They seem normal, but they are capable of the extreme violence like that of the serial killer in this movie. Although it is graphic, the film is very funny as well. The killer makes a lot of smart cracks and some of the irony of the movie is pretty funny too. Some of the funniest scenes occur when the killer is talking about what he does in a serious manner. Not for everyone, but well worth the watch if you can tolerate the material. Last scene is amazing, and Blair Witch owes a lot to it.

• Emily A

  
  I remember this movie. I kind of wish I had seen it before I saw the English-language remake from Britain, though (The Last Horror Movie). It's a fairly novel concept for a horror movie: a serial killer gets a documentary film crew to follow him around, and generates the films… More
  I remember this movie. I kind of wish I had seen it before I saw the English-language remake from Britain, though (The Last Horror Movie). It's a fairly novel concept for a horror movie: a serial killer gets a documentary film crew to follow him around, and generates the films scares organically and simply through his own behaviour. I kind of feel the way I do when I watch a movie's parody before I see the original: when the first thing you've seen is a reworking, retooling and improvement on an idea, the original source text seems a little pale by comparison. The protagonst-killer in this movie is not nearly as likeable as he was in The Last Horror Movie, and the story isn't as inventive (not by a long shot) as Behind the mask. Still, for the time it was made and what it does, it's a very effective film. It gets extra points for being the first of its type (to my knowledge).

• Nelson P

  
  I can understand why people have certain problems with Man Bites Dog. Really I can. I just think they're wrong.Yes it's gruesome. Yes it displays a very warped sense of humor. Yes it sometimes goes to far in trying to repulse and cloud the moral sensibilities of its… More
  I can understand why people have certain problems with Man Bites Dog. Really I can. I just think they're wrong.Yes it's gruesome. Yes it displays a very warped sense of humor. Yes it sometimes goes to far in trying to repulse and cloud the moral sensibilities of its audience.But you either get it or you don't. The makers have not set out to make a movie intended to titillate the viewer, or to satisfy our morbid curiosities concerning serial killers. If that had been their intention they wouldn't have shot the film on cataract-inducing grainy black and white film.They've made a movie that examines the role of violence in society and more importantly in movies. They've made a purposefully repulsive character that only seeks to prove that old Hollywood moral conundrum - if the protagonist makes us laugh and occupies a large amount of screen time, we, the audience will forgive him no matter what he does.I don't think I have ever seen film that is quite like this, It's really the only insightful piece next to Psycho that really captures the psyche of a serial killer

• Tim S

  
  I am a big fan of the documentary style when it's done right and this is done really well. The black and white looks great and none of it seems forced or lame like most mockumentaries that have come out as of late. A lot of that has to be attributed to Benoit Poelvoorde, who is… More
  I am a big fan of the documentary style when it's done right and this is done really well. The black and white looks great and none of it seems forced or lame like most mockumentaries that have come out as of late. A lot of that has to be attributed to Benoit Poelvoorde, who is fantastic as the main character. There were a couple of times I wish they would have left the crew out of it, but I understand what they were trying to do. Great commentary on reality television and takes viewers on a very perverse ride. Not for everyone and very disturbing at times, but also very funny at times. Great film.

• Anthony L

  
  Benoit Poeloorde's performance is terrifying, his unpredictability makes for very tense viewing. This is a dark comedy, filmed as a documentary (with a Dogma feel about it), in striking B/W contrast, with the cast eventually becoming part of the story. It's very clever, very… More
  Benoit Poeloorde's performance is terrifying, his unpredictability makes for very tense viewing. This is a dark comedy, filmed as a documentary (with a Dogma feel about it), in striking B/W contrast, with the cast eventually becoming part of the story. It's very clever, very sick, quite funny and absolutely brilliant! That's why The Blair Witch Project ripped it off! Recommended for those of you without heart conditions!

• Greg S

  
  A documentary film crew follows a serial killer as he makes his rounds and slowly begins to participate in his crimes. Worth seeing for provocation value, but ultimately the relentlessly unpleasant ironic sadism can't be justified by the filmmakers' meager insights about… More
  A documentary film crew follows a serial killer as he makes his rounds and slowly begins to participate in his crimes. Worth seeing for provocation value, but ultimately the relentlessly unpleasant ironic sadism can't be justified by the filmmakers' meager insights about the media's complicity in fostering violence.

• jd c

  
  (Major Spoilers) Meet Ben... <img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/ManBitesDog.jpg"> Ben likes to strangle women and repeatedly batter a man's head wide open on a sink. Ben likes to rape a woman while the husband is forced to… More
  (Major Spoilers) Meet Ben... <img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/JDHallowEEn/ManBitesDog.jpg"> Ben likes to strangle women and repeatedly batter a man's head wide open on a sink. Ben likes to rape a woman while the husband is forced to watch. He likes to scare old women to death, in result of an instant heart attack. He also likes to suffocate little children with pillowcases. Ben even likes to party hard. So hard till he vomits on himself, and he even shoots down his own friend's at birthday parties! Ben is an insanely SADISTIC serial killer...and also a celebrity!(Well, there's a first time for everything, right?) Man Bites Dog tells the story of a small film crew who follows around a demented, but an intelligent madman named Ben, in attempt to make a true "Snuff" documentary. It turns out the crew take a likening to Ben, and they strangely connect, hitting it off on their revoltingly shameless and gory adventures, and even share laughs together. At times, Ben even seems like a civil person, the polite man in the street who stops to cheer you up. He's even a caring family member most of the times. He's humorous, and he's also loyal and loves his girlfriend... ...We know this cause we witness it all on actual footage(but keep in mind of course, this is just a mockumentary). But of course Ben has his charm, as most serial killers do. A side that we don't see when our backs are turned, and while the unlucky one's roam the street late at night. But the difference here though, is Ben doesn't have a reason to hide his viscous side. He knows he's being filmed 24/7, and half of his friends already know he's a damn psychopathic killer. Right there you know that this movie isn't meant to be taken seriously. Actually it's part of what makes this movie so dementedly funny. Yes, Man Bites Dog is a comedy as well! A sick, and disgusting, dark and vile comedy...but a comedy that's insanely outrageous. Ben even finds it humorous! He jokes with the film crew in the middle of his slayings, and teaches them the right techniques in murdering. Like I said before, Ben's a humorous kind of guy.(only his humor is tasteless and despicably evil)...But hell! At least he puts the "fun" in killing! Here's where it gets even funnier... As the film progresses, the documentary film crew start fearing for their own lives. Ben doesn't seem so friendly anymore(well I really don't think he ever gave a sh*t), but accidents start happening, and the film crew are being offed one by one as well. Still, they continue to finish the documentary! Come on now? How are you suppose to take this film seriously after that being said? But that's what's great!(keep this in mind when watching the brutal killings. I don't know, it might help you stomach it better)...lol, I doubt it though! This is still a sick and fu*king down right disturbing movie. The violence is raw. There's no shying away either. The violence is in-your-face raw, with no remorse for the viewers. This is some sick sh*t! The acting here is solid all around, which helps make things alot...well I guess...worse(I mean that in the best way possible of course). I'm just saying it adds too much realism to the slayings, which would be hard for most people to watch. But look on the bright side...Man Bites Dog is funny as well(again with the "acting" part, in helping to make the humor more convincing and funny). Just be very OPEN MINDED when watching this...grab a vomit bag, and (try to)enjoy this sick insanity. You've been warned! ""Man Bites Dog" is probably one of the most disturbing, horrific, disgusting and ruthless films in the history of cinema." - moviesmademe.com "A black comedy that's as dark as night, Man Bites Dog is a worthy successor to A Clockwork Orange as this generation's most telling and unflinching look at our views on violence." - Filmcritic.com "Personally, I think the film has it's moments where I was thinking to myself "Why am I enjoying this?!", but all of it is underscored with a huge exclamation point and subtle yet effective humor that softens the blow. There are times when this combination will have you rolling on the floor laughing, and other times when you'll recoil in an attempt to pander to your better judgment." - HorrorView "This grainy black-and-white shoestring- budget "mockumentary," about a film crew following around a professional killer, is one of the most bizarre, hilarious, and disturbing things I've ever seen." - eFilmCritic.com ""Man Bites Dog" is realistic, almost too realistic. The film is in truth more surreal than real, but the primitive styling and shaky "amateur" camera work persuade you to believe this is a documentary. You believe the harshness seen to be reality, with nothing surreal about it. This "mocumentary" wants you to feel horrified and disgusted. If you become too agitated to watch it, the film succeeds in its goal,(if you simply laugh at it you are sick), but if you sit through the entire movie (and I would recommend you do) the film will give you closure. But remember, even if it appears real, it's done for the sake of art, and what a masterpiece it is!" - Movie Vault

• _kelly .

  
  An extremely impressive neo-realist film, worthy of several repeated screenings. Punctuated with just the right amount of naturalistic dialogue and humour, and the image has a flawless ability to make events which are sometimes too serendipitous for narrative film work incredibly well… More
  An extremely impressive neo-realist film, worthy of several repeated screenings. Punctuated with just the right amount of naturalistic dialogue and humour, and the image has a flawless ability to make events which are sometimes too serendipitous for narrative film work incredibly well within this illusion that we are watching real footage. Beyond being a very raw portrait of murder, this film is extremely poetic and the main character is unforgettable.<br/><br/>"So Fucked Up" highlight:<br/>main character kills friend for no apparent reason at birthday celebration, film-makers take part in a rape/double murder

• Lanning :

  
  Now, more than ever, seems it rich to die. To cease upon the midni -- [sound of gunshots] . . . <p> Well, it ain't no nightingale this time, friends. It's a pigeon : ) <p> Okay, granted, the premise here is ridiculous, but that's fine by me. I actually… More
  Now, more than ever, seems it rich to die. To cease upon the midni -- [sound of gunshots] . . . <p> Well, it ain't no nightingale this time, friends. It's a pigeon : ) <p> Okay, granted, the premise here is ridiculous, but that's fine by me. I actually thrive on literature with ridiculous premises : ) Belgian? I could have sworn, given the language spoken by the actors, for instance, that this one is French. And the French, God bless them -- watch out, France, the Belgians appear to be breathing down your collective neck in the dark-humor market-capture race -- have always had the knack of honing in on very cool ridiculousness. When I watch something this chucklingly twisted, I'm almost always tempted to stand up and sing "La Marseillaise" -- although I should maybe now commit "The Brabançonne" to memory as well -- just because, you know, <b>only</b> our friends in France (and maybe Belgium) could pull this off. I especially love the way the film crew members keep getting knocked off in their artistic quest to pull the "documentary" project together. <p>If you're at all into very sick, very dark, very sick, very dark -- that's right, I said it twice : ) -- very essentially French (and/or Belgian) humor, this is a must-see. This Benoît Poelvoorde as the poetic hit-man is terrific. That poor little kid : )

• Stella D

  
  a brutal, highly disturbing low budget documentary style black comedy of sorts. the lead actor was very good as a dim-witted serial killer being trailed by a film crew that become more and more involved in his crimes. the intent seems to be to make the audience complicit in the… More
  a brutal, highly disturbing low budget documentary style black comedy of sorts. the lead actor was very good as a dim-witted serial killer being trailed by a film crew that become more and more involved in his crimes. the intent seems to be to make the audience complicit in the violence as we want to watch this reality tv style rampage. like a comedic version of funny games only bloodier

• Michael S

  
  A deeply disturbing, yet equally brilliant jet- black comedy.

• xGary X

  
  Extremely grim mockumentary parodying the media's glorification of violence. Some of the on-screen gore is extremely tasteless (especially the rape scene) which led me to feel there's more than a little hypocrisy at play here; but it is knowing and has some stand-out scenes,… More
  Extremely grim mockumentary parodying the media's glorification of violence. Some of the on-screen gore is extremely tasteless (especially the rape scene) which led me to feel there's more than a little hypocrisy at play here; but it is knowing and has some stand-out scenes, particularly the scene when they run into a rival film crew.

• Tsubaki S

  
  Benoit Poelvoorde totally owns this with a delirous and fun as hell performance as the main character. While the social satire falls a bit short in some aspects, still the film holds very well and does deserve it's cult status.

• Sarah G

  
  An excellent film, but hard to watch at times.

• Eric B

  
  "Man Bites Dog" is a wildly perverse, depraved satire about a serial killer who recruits a film crew to follow him around on his spree. The footage is shot with handheld camera in gritty B&W, and director Remy Belvaux is part of the cast, essentially playing himself. The… More
  "Man Bites Dog" is a wildly perverse, depraved satire about a serial killer who recruits a film crew to follow him around on his spree. The footage is shot with handheld camera in gritty B&W, and director Remy Belvaux is part of the cast, essentially playing himself. The violence isn't particularly gory by contemporary standards, but the callous attitude toward death will disturb almost anyone. The most shocking element isn't necessarily the killer's sociopathic joy, but the crew's increased participation in the mayhem. One has to applaud Belvaux's nerve, but the story's underlying points about media exploitation may not be weighty enough to lift the material beyond the realm of sheer horror. The Web tells me this was Belvaux's only feature as a director, and that he committed suicide in 2006.

• Ryan M

  
  8.3/10 I love it when a film makes a statement, and I love a film even more when it makes MULTIPLE statements all at once. "Man Bites Dog" is the latest I've seen when it comes to films trying to get a clear message across; and it has a lot to say. Before I go… More
  8.3/10 I love it when a film makes a statement, and I love a film even more when it makes MULTIPLE statements all at once. "Man Bites Dog" is the latest I've seen when it comes to films trying to get a clear message across; and it has a lot to say. Before I go along babbling about how much I adored this film, I will advise you to stop reading if you think this film is going to make you feel sick. If you think it will do that; then it will do that. The premise calls for brutal violence, and the film delivers that in large doses. Some will admire how "Man Bites Dog" combines some of the darkest humor in cinematic history along with a strong moral about the violence contained within the human heart. But then there are those who will not enjoy this film. These people will call it "the most depraved film ever made". Now depraved means to be without moral reason. The character in this film is depraved. The film itself is not. There is a reason for this film to exist, no matter how violent it is, and I ended up appreciating the sheer craft that was put into the production. Again, some people can't see past violence. But I can; and I completely understand why this film was made. It's a satire- be it a brutally honest one- that exploits the funny side of serial killer pop culture. It also talks about how media has shown us such violence without warning and without mental remorse. The film has many messages; all of which I just can't tell you. The most I can say for "Man Bites Dog" is that it's the damndest thing. I love it- or at least I kind of do- but due to the content I just can't recommend it. But if you THINK you can handle it, then "Man Bites Dog" magically transforms from a gratuitously, excessively violent flop to a viciously funny dark satire. It was funny, it was disturbing, and all-in-all, I thought it was pretty brilliant. Someday, there will be people who applaud it for being the bold production that it is. Isn't it nice to think that this will happen one day? Ben is a passionate Serial Killer who wants a camera crew to document his killings and his craft. He starts out by showing them the proverbial "ropes", and then goes on to more extreme measures. The entire film pretty much depicts the life of a faux, nigh pretentious serial killer for what he or she truly is. The killer goes around killing and raping people for pleasure; or perhaps he gets something much more out of these ordeals. He eventually persuades the crew to take part in his deadly game; which leads to more and more trouble as time goes on. So yeah; I've spoiled a lot of the story for you already. You're going to have to watch the actual movie if you want to know how it ends and how it (really) goes. It's a well-structured movie throughout the whole thing, although most people will refer to the experience as "unwatchable". Some people will turn off the film before it's even over. But oh well; I've seen worse. And "Man Bites Dog" could have gone either way; it could have been bad or it could have been good. In this case, I thought it was pretty good. But that's just one man's opinion. In this case, everything relies on the viewer and their thoughts on violence, serial killers, vengeance, gang rape, and documentary filmmaking. Benoit Poelvoorde is pretty darn good as the friendly but not-so-nice serial killer. Does that make any sense? In this case, I think it does. The killer is friendly, polite, and it a genuine gentleman. But he's also a sadistic man-man who just tries hard to fit in while he's not our murdering people. I liked the character, and I liked the actor as well. He's backed up quite nicely by his crew; who do indeed put on performances in spite of their role. The film is completely fictional, although it's presented in mockumentary style. So keep that in mind while you're watching such unrestrained madness unfold. A film like this certainly has the ability to provoke. "Man Bites Dog" can be frightening, violent, and shocking all at the same time. This certainly adds to its artistic craft; although for some it will also add to its disgust. But to show what "Man Bites Dog" shows, you've got to have some darned good back-up. "Man Bites Dog" is the kind of film that DOES have the kind of back-up that I'm referring to; which comes in the form of quirkiness and visual style. The film is beautifully shot, in black-and-white, of course. This kind of adds to its humor most of the time, although before you go all out and call "Man Bites Dog" a "comedy", you must know what's meant to be funny and what's meant to be cold, sadistic, and all-out cruel. The violence isn't meant to be laughed at. No sane human being can truly get pleasure from watching this movie solely for its violence. But then again, the reason I saw it was because I knew the satire was pretty clever just from the look of the movie. It feels about right, for what it is at least. Violence is needed in this story, and I don't think a controversy is really worth it at this point. Do you think "Man Bites Dog" is sick? Most people do. But do you want to know what I think is sick? Violence shown as it isn't. This film is realistic, and anyone who joins the negativity of the controversy surrounding it is just trying to hide the fact that "Man Bites Dog" is one of the best portrayals of human violence in recent years. It has a nice style, and an artistic feel to it. To "enjoy" this film would be wrong. But to like it; well, you're still sane if you do. I just wanted to put that one out there. I've learned to admire films such as this. "Man Bites Dog", as a film about a documentary crew filming a serial killer, takes risks and wins big when it comes to craft and quality. I admittedly liked this film; it was slick and stylish, and funny as well as clever. The satire is truly biting, and is delivered in a dark, nearly cruel way. That is why I have warned you of this film's content. It depends on what you can laugh at, and how long you can hold off from barfing. This film could be considered sickening, disgusting, and despicable. Perhaps "Man Bites Dog" is every one of those things. Does it matter? No, it does not. This film is not cruel or exploitative. It's a portrayal of violence for what it truly is; VIOLENCE. The media tends to cover up what violence truly is by making action movies less graphic. Some don't need to be as violent as "Man Bites Dog". But if you want to get violence for what it is, then you need to start where this film does; beyond the border that lies between grotesque art and admirable art. This could be one of the best film's I seen; it very well could be. I for one am unsure. The most I know is that "Man Bites Dog" is funny and very, very good. It's enjoyable if you find moderate fun in the humor (that doesn't involve rape or murder, even if some of the killings are kind of ironic in their own little ways). I like this movie. And I will conclude that while it is graphic in its violence, "Man Bites Dog" is not pornography. It has a purpose, a meaning, a message; it does not exploit anything. A proper word to describe this film would be art. That it is.

• Alec B

  
  I certainly understand that it is an influential film (movies like The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield are outgrowths of this) and Benoit Poelvoorde's performance has a horrifying charm to it, but the novelty of the idea wears off about half way through. The attempts to… More
  I certainly understand that it is an influential film (movies like The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield are outgrowths of this) and Benoit Poelvoorde's performance has a horrifying charm to it, but the novelty of the idea wears off about half way through. The attempts to "shock" the audience out of irony looses its bite. I got what they were trying to say about the media's embrace of violence but after awhile it was like beating a dead horse.

• Marcus W

  
  Some Belgian wanders around killing indiscriminately while being filmed for a documentary. This film is nothing more than attention seeking: "Hey, lets kill children and little old ladies, and rape women. We'll say it's "artistic and a reflection of something or… More
  Some Belgian wanders around killing indiscriminately while being filmed for a documentary. This film is nothing more than attention seeking: "Hey, lets kill children and little old ladies, and rape women. We'll say it's "artistic and a reflection of something or other". It says nothing, it goes nowhere, and there is more poetry and profound thinking in Transformers 2. This is one of the most boring, pointless, and biggest wastes of time I've ever sat through. Proof, if it were needed, that Belgian students should not be allowed to make films.

• Ivan D

  
  Unlike the earlier film I reviewed "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer", "Man Bites Dog" made the killings even much more trivial, treating the violence as small leisure activities by the killer himself, and the pretentious conversations about art, music and more… More
  Unlike the earlier film I reviewed "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer", "Man Bites Dog" made the killings even much more trivial, treating the violence as small leisure activities by the killer himself, and the pretentious conversations about art, music and more as the center of his daily life. Along with its distinct film technique, which is very admired in the cinema community, the film also has able to elaborate a major yet subtle satire about media itself, as its obsessions with sensationalized killings and the people responsible also brings forth its subsequent doom. Carefully balanced and shown in the film, the crew started as naive filmmakers, then slowly, with poetic interludes, drawn into the very thing they're all trying to exploit. The killer Ben(great performance by Benoit Poelvoorde), with that unflinching charisma reminiscent of Godard's street-wise criminal anti-heroes, started with cool, unbroken streak of murders and larcenies, ended with a poem recital, with the whole crew tumbling down with him into his decadent private world.

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