Violadas ao Extremo

Despite its inflammatory title, the "Violados ao Extremo" (trans: "Most Extreme Rape") series is disappointing. I have now seen all four volumes in one depressing sitting and, despite being impressed with a grainy compile trailer of the vids more than a year ago, I must now retract my initial enthusiasm. Each volume features a series of "rapes", or, to be more precise, a porno scenario in which a woman or two is roughed up by group of horny guys. These are Brazilian vids, cheaply made, with no aesthetic value. The photography lacks even rudimentary professional standards and is overexposed and appallingly composed. Although the women are attractive, the "rapes" have little erotic appeal and aren't even worthy of being deemed "horrific". The so-called "rapes", in fact, are poorly acted, and most of the women appear to be on the verge of laughter. The men, on the other hand, look like low IQ morons with nothing better to do on a Saturday afternoon than star in a local porno. Although weapons are used in the scenarios and several women are tied up, the weapons are used reluctantly and without sincerity. Don't be fooled by the covers of these expensive vids (I paid close to $250 for the lot!) if you're expecting graphic, aesthetically powerful porno violence of the sexual variety. I must conclude, at this point, that all the "rape" tapes I have seen are terrible and, to make matters worse, less technically accomplished than the average elementary school student's home movie. Beware the Dutch vids, too, that you can purchase from such companies as Escapade. They are all beyond awful. Only some of the hardcore American material (Rob Black, Khan Tusion) comes within a loud scream of my expectations of this genre. So what do I expect? Honestly, I would like to see material along the lines of the snuff movie featured in "Emmanuelle in America" or the nastier sequences in "Salo". These films were made by real filmmakers who understood the power of the image and had the smarts to construct disturbing, nasty, transgressive imagery. Of course, there are many well made softcore rape sequences in many excellent films, but the hardcore industry has proved that, internationally, it is an industry of clueless hacks with not an artistic bone in their bodies. I defy anyone to unearth an achievement of worth in this depressing sub-genre. Even zoo vids have better production values, which is a crying, disgusting, barking shame (and sham, come to think of it, and possibly an international disgrace).