BUTTER ON THE LATCH (2013) - ♦♦♦

Directed by - Josephine Decker

Written by - Josephine Decker

Starring - Isolde Chae-Lawrence, Stephan Goldbach, Charlie Hewson

"A woman re-united with a friend at a Balkan song and dance camp, but their sweet re-kindling is abruptly interrupted when she pursues a romance with a new camper. 

BUTTER ON THE LATCH is an admirable work of exciting experimentation where the grey areas of the story encourage audience interaction. Most of all, it seems to originally exploit familiar moods and styles that are ruling the American independent cinematic scenes of today, as well as openly mix visual art with the more structured cinematic art. 

Set mostly in menacing woods where tree branches and sharp leaves intertwine alarmingly under the cold and unforgiving sunlight, JOSEPHINE DECKER's erotically charged dream and nightmare is a mixture of white and black magic, where the elements of mind, body and soul blend into narrative synergy. There is mystery, horror, comedy and drama but more compellingly a pursuit of audience interaction through avoidance of spoonfed narrative. 

But the final result does have its considerable flaws. The enigmatic lack of focus on its theme, and a lack of connection with its characters, who run around the screen in confusing ways, is exhausting for even the most compelled of viewers. Many of its unresolved elements make it seem incomplete and ultimately unsatisfactory."

Thriller, USA