Angst (1983)
Most of the movies on this list are here because I think they're fun. Angst isn't fun. Except for the wiener dog.
This brutal Austrian film is loosely based on the serial killer Werner Kniesek. A disturbed man (Erwin Leder) leaves prison, and immediately begins looking for someone to kill. after a few unsuccessful attempts, he breaks into a house where he terrorises, and murders a family of three.
That's most of the plot right there, but what makes this a special film is how it plays out. We spend the entire film with the killer. A voice over narration brings us right inside his head as he explains his motivations, and tells stories of his childhood.
The fantastic cinematography by Oscar winner Zbigniew Rybczyński is another window into the killers distorted Psyche. Rybczyński uses extreme close ups, chaotic hand held movements, and some kind of harness mounted camera similar to the one used in the movie Pi to give us insight into how the killer sees the world. The effect is both disorienting, and disturbing. And when the violence starts the camera doesn't shy away. Add to this a brilliant pounding electronic score by German composer Klaus Schulze, and you have quite a potent stew.
As I said, Angst isn't a fun movie, and would likely kill the mood at your Halloween party. But it is a strikingly original, and powerful film. It's well worth tracking down.
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