I'm actually glad that I have the chance to write about Aro Tolbukin: In The Mind of a Serial Killer because it is an extremely difficult film to digest. In The Mind of a Serial Killer demands more than one viewing and was most certainly not made for the masses. Now, at last nights screening either everyone was deep in thought and enjoying themselves during the film, or the movie put them all into a deep coma. It was a very solemn atmosphere and a very odd one to say the least. In The Mind of a Serial Killer was the second of 3 films that we saw this afternoon and they were all one right after each other. In The Mind of a Serial Killer also happened to be the only heavy movie of the bunch with virtually no comic relief or moments to bring you back up to be found within. I'm going to do my best to get my points across, but one thing that you must understand (and I know that you've heard me say this before) is that In The Mind of a Serial Killer is a film that demands a fresh perspective and you should really just go in untainted to fully appreciate the experience.

Let's give a little background info, shall we? In The Mind of a Serial Killer is supposedly based on a real life killer named Aro Tolbukin. Allegedly, Aro is a Hungarian man who supposedly (you'll find that I use the word supposedly a lot in this review) killed (many burned) over 20 people including (but not limited to) over 15 pregnant women in the early 80's. In The Mind of Serial A Killer purports to have used some unfinished documentary footage from some French filmmakers in conjunction with fictionalized recreations to tell the story of Aro, and this is where it gets kinda sticky folks. The story is told in both documentary style and fictionalized recreations. The real question here is how much of this is actually based on fact? Is the entire film a fabrication and did Aro Tolbukin ever even exist?

If one does a little research, you'd be hard pressed to find any information on the real life Aro Tolbukhin. At this point, one has to question how much of this story is fact and how much is fiction. It seems as if no one really knows the truth, and opinions on the subject vary quite radically. A good portion of the film revolves around interviews with people associated with Aro as well as supposed real interview footage with Aro himself. Separating the fact from the fiction in this film is a difficult job for the viewer, which is a true testament to the talented filmmakers involved.

The flashback footage of Aro's past is presented in B&W and gives us a glimpse deep into Aro's childhood (and psyche). I found the complex structure and parallels between the "documentary" footage and fictionalized flashback scenes to be wholly fascinating and their seamless connections (the flashbacks really do make sense out of Aro's motives) allow the structure of the film to work quite well.

As I said earlier, the true testament goes to the filmmakers involved for having all of these puzzle pieces lying on the table and then managing to connect them in a most interesting way. Not all questions are answered here so don't expect an easy way out. What we are given however is a brief glimpse in the mind of a "killer" who may or may not have ever existed. By the time the end credits roll though you'll probably be a believer either way.

In The Mind of a Serial Killer was directed by Agust’n Villaronga (the man responsible for 1986's ultra sickening In A Glass Cage) and was co-directed by Lydia Zimmerman and Isaac P. Racine. While many scenes are shown documentary style, there are some moments in the flashback segments that can even rival those that may be burned in your mind from In A Glass Cage. Am I going to say any more about them? No. The curious will just have to keep an eye out for this film themselves. There's no one here that will tell you what's going on in Aro's mind, except for Aro himself. It's a journey that you'll just have to take on your own.

The story of Aro Tolbukin seems to be told in just about every visual form one could imagine. From B&W and color to 16mm and 35 mm to digital video. Each of the different film sources have seemed to age appropriately If we are to even believe that they at one time even existed prior to this film. The B&W flashback sequences offer the most cinematically artistic touches with excellent photography and slick use of the frame. There were so many picture perfect moments during these segments, I wouldn't even know where to begin, but I wouldn't even dare want to try and give them away, that just wouldn't be fair.

At the end of the day, In the Mind of a Serial Killer is definitely a tough film to enjoy. It's non descript manner and defiance to allow us to break the barrier of fantasy and reality could tend to upset or turn some viewers off almost immediately. It's leisurely paced execution and non-linear tactics could also serve as a barrier to some viewers as well. The adventurous few who are willing to open up to In The Mind of a Serial Killer and accept the film on its own terms could very well walk out just as affected as I was. For interested parties, In The Mind of a Serial Killer is highly recommended viewing.

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