Director: Jonas Govaerts.
Starring: Maurice Luijten, Titus De Voogdt, Stef Aerts, Evelien Bosmans.
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Synopsis: A group of cub scouts go camping in the woods, but could it be that the local story of a wolf boy named Kai is more than a story.
Belgium are known for fantastic chips, magnificent waffles, beautiful cities, and astonishing beers. They’re not as well known for their cinematic output, which is such a shame given some of the great films that come from the country. Recently though things have strarted to change, with the excellent BULLHEAD and TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT gaining international attention, usually reserved for Belgium’s greatest cinematic export, the Dardenne brothers.
Jonas Govaerts looks to change things with his genre film, CUB, which takes its cues from slashers and horrors, as well as a strong childlike 80s vibe of THE GOONIES and STAND BY ME variety. Luijten plays a young member of a group of scouts, he is of course the outcast and is picked on my fellow scouts and even his group leaders. During a camping trip to the woods, Sam (Luijten) becomes intrigued by the story of Kai, a young boy who supposedly turns into a werewolf. Needless to say, it’s more than just a story, and the film soon has Sam attempting to protect his unbelieving group from the legendary horror.
Govaerts plays his hand very early in the film, revealing the mythical Kai and his murderous father early on. He also shows us the elaborate traps the two set up in order to trap those in the woods. The traps are often reminiscent the board game Mousetrap (except they always work), and you’ll feel the same kind of dread as each is set off, as your mind tries to tie the pieces together before imminent pain. Showing us elements that could have been used as twists may come across as a missed opportunity at first, but it’s soon revealed that Govaerts has more pressing matters to address.
Despite its childlike fairytale charm, CUB journeys into much darker territory and becomes a metaphor for nurturing a child. Sam comes from a dark background himself, but it’s clear he is a good kid. As the scout leaders try and discipline him, and other kids fail to believe his stories, we see him being pushed further and further away as he begins to find the life and tale of Kai more attractive than his current place in life. It’s a brave and uncomfortable twist on your average horror, where the dangers of negative attitudes towards the young are fully explored, although obviously exaggerated for horror purposes.
CUB is an impressive debut filled with memorable moments with a message that is both important and relevant. It may dabble with some horror tropes a bit too much, as well as having less than subtle set-ups; keys that respond to a whistle and a car door that doesn’t open properly. But at a swift 85 minutes, this is a lot of fun that then slaps you with its dark and powerful message. Even those not into horror should see it for Luijten’s fantastic performance that makes you both empathise and fear.
[usr=3]CUB screens again on 19th October. Get tickets here.
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