The Strange Colour of Your Body's Tears

The influence of Italian horror maestro Dario Argento looms large over the second feature from Belgium-based directors Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani (following stylish debut Amer and the eerily beautiful O for Orgasm chapter from horror anthology The ABCs of Death). A businessman (Klaus Tange) returns to his Brussels apartment, only to find his wife has vanished with no clue as to her whereabouts. As he seeks help from neighbours and the police, events take a surreal turn and he's assailed by disturbing visions, dreams and nightmares (or are they?) that may baffle the audience as much as the increasingly desperate husband. The influence of weirdsmiths Nicolas Roeg and David Lynch is also evident here but this visual feast is ultimately defined by giallo motifs - veiled mystery women, a leather-clad slasher and shockingly bloody bursts of violence. But this is more than just mere homage - Cattet and Forzani unleash a cornucopia of eye-popping images backed up by slick editing and cracking sound. Those who prefer substance over style in their scary movies may baulk at the sensory overkill here, but one thing's for sure, it will be intriguing to see what this talented duo do next.