Split

Such movies are very rare and almost unheard of in English. It's not a total success but is an interesting exploration of relationships and sexual dynamics from an explicit perspective.

Inanna works as a stripper, but aspires to a higher calling, and tries out for a dance troupe that has an experimental dance program highlighting the abuse and violence that women across the globe face, in a very in-your-face manner. The director is certain Inanna is perfect for the role, while others are not sure. The troupe uses masks, and Derek makes them, and Inanna falls in love with him, and eventually marries him. However, he gives her nothing in response, and not even affection, so she has to face her decisions. He does not, however strike her, instead strikes himself over his actions. Some of the scenes seem surreal, so did they even happen? Other scenes apparently have happened only in the person's imagination. The dance program is very stylistic and symbolic and also intense. After all, the emotions they are dealing with are also intense. And when Inanna finds out Derek is cheating on him, while withholding affection from her, the impact is even stronger. It can be overwhelming at times and confusing.

This stunning new film uses familiar images from prior Kampmeier films (e.g., the naked women in the lake in VIRGIN, the snakes in HOUNDDOG, etc) to go in daring new directions that are even deeper, darker & more rewarding.

Amy Ferguson is very good as "Inanna" (an actress piecing together a career in New York's Indie Theatre scene), but Morgan Spector is a revelation as "Derek" (a tormented artist who makes brilliant theatrical masks which seem to have been born in Julie Taymor's worst nightmares).

SPLIT is not for the faint of heart & I have no doubt it will prove to be just as controversial as VIRGIN and HOUNDDOG. But remember this: no one knew Elizabeth Moss before Kampmeier cast her as the lead in VIRGIN, and Dakota Fanning had only played kid roles before Kampmeier cast her as the lead in HOUNDDOG. She also cast Robin Wright in key supporting roles in both films. So if actresses of this stature have put their trust in Deborah Kampmeier, then so should you!

Having read about this film as part of a few film festivals I was intrigued and yet hesitant to watch it myself. I knew that it was about a very emotionally challenging relationship and experiences. As things happen, it resurfaced right at the right time, following a break up and challenging custody agreement process I was in. This movie does not shy away from the challenges and experiences we as humans go through in the attempt to relate, love and build lives together with other humans. And in particular it brings to the forefront how our innocence, expectations, earlier emotional wounds greatly impact how we exist and relate to others. For women, I believe this movie begins to create a way to peal off layers we have put on to face the world, to ultimately heal our own wounds by acknowledging and accepting them as wounds.

I would say for any woman that has had a relationship with challenges in relating, which I feel is most relationships (also between friends and family) this film begins to create a means of talking about why it can be so difficult to be in relationship.

The scenes from the theatrical play group within the movie are so cinematically beautiful and the female nudity which is presented is so raw and real and natural.

I don't believe I have ever had a film bring such PTSD from my past abuse before. The acting was so... so utterly real and beautiful and impressive, that it triggered me into an entire episode. I paused to movie to cry and scream about my own abuse from a man as a woman... when I haven't for years. I thought I had moved past it, but the heart has a way of coming back. They wrote the abuse realistically and very well done. Her blindness, her obsession, her apologies, her fears, when she said, "I'd die without him." The advice that she was given by her friend, and GOD her screams. WOW. Her screams. This actress deserves it all. And so does that actor and well... everybody!

The metaphors of him pulling the women off of her to reach her was gorgeous. The openness given to us to interpret everything we want is notable. To see him hit himself, to cry, and to have such a charming but manipulative character was so believable that it was triggering. Well done.