As it turns out, my ideal night in is tucked up with a film which goes along the lines of cannibalism meets sexual awakening. I’m talking about my latest discovery Raw, by French film director Julia Ducournau. My mind was blown. It’s not your typical self-discovery type of film, you know the ones that are called ‘coming of age’, but it’s certainly one of the more interesting ways in which to breach the subject. Our protagonist, Justine, is a vegetarian off to start veterinary college and it doesn’t take long before she’s whisked away for her initiation. Ducournau has executed this film incredibly, from start to finish. It’s riddled with enigmas which are constantly shadowed by a piercing score to accompany the visuals which leaves you extremely on edge. 
The whole thing is animalistic. As part of the early on initiations the ‘new recruits’ are being herded out of their rooms like frightened little lambs who are then seen in a somehat sadistic manner crawling on all fours to an unknown destination. Some people may look at such a scene and feel similarities with parts of their earlier education, but it’s when part two of the challenges take place that Justine learns some pivotal lessons when she gets her first taste of raw rabbit liver. Needless to say it escalates from there to a jarring episode involing waxing strips, scissors (but more like gardening shears), and blaming the dog after Justine’s sister catches her eating her severed finger. After watching the film I could only imagine what the outcome would be like if the film was made in England or America. Could you imagine? “Yeah I’d like to have that drink please, but oh do you have it in diet?” The French have perfected their cinematic craft that they can just get away with looking into such topics to the point where they are not taboo. The audience are completely rendered to an ultimate suspense of disbelief. Despite its mild content, Raw is sexy, it’s young, and rebellious. It’s also cinematically stunning and mesmerising to watch. Okay fine, so I probably wouldn’t recommend Raw for an evening in with a date, but I’d argue that Raw is an imperative piece of cinema that’s really worth watching for an eye opening, and jaw dropping, experience.
