TheAmericanCannibal

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Below please find the review of ?American Cannibal? that is posted on Filmjournal.com









AMERICAN CANNIBAL



LIFESIZE ENTERTAINMENT/Color/1.66/Dolby Digital/91 Mins./Not Rated



Featuring: Gil S. Ripley, Dave Roberts, Kevin Blatt, Neil DeGroot, B.J. Sigesmund, Ben Silverman, Linda Stasi, Lizz Winstead.

Credits: Written and directed by Perry Grebin, Michael Nigro. Produced by Grebin, Nigro, Denis Jensen. Executive producers: Ed Litwak, Corey Ribotsky, Mike Riley, Kenneth D. Yellin, Lloyd Groveman. Cinematography: Grebin, Ari Haberberg. Edited by Suki Hawley. Supervising editor: Doug Abel. Music by Doug Gillard. A Pacificap Entertainment Holdings presentation of an Acme Pictures production, in association with LaSalleHolland.



Hilarious faux documentary explores the lunatic edge of reality TV.



Can it be? A reality show that actually lures producers and viewers with the possibility of cannibalism among the competing, island-bound contestants? That?s what the totally, uh, delicious documentary American Cannibal allegedly captures?the creation and attempted execution of such a series that may actually appeal to certain ?tastes? among hungry TV writer wannabes, bottom-shelf TV producers and their, uh, thrill-starved target viewers.

But like a warning label on edibles of the supermarket kind, American Cannibal, which premiered at last year?s Tribeca Film Festival, comes with the disclaimer that it may be as fraudulent as it is hilarious. But let?s focus on the latter, as the former is best relegated to the eyes (and smarts) of beholders. And why spoil so much fun with even a suggestion of spoilers?



So here we have, if we agree on the rules, a documentary that reveals to what venal, vile extent reality-show creators and producers will go for their day in the sun and on the Sony. Filmmakers Perry Grebin and Michael Nigro give us up close and pitching Dave Roberts and Gil S. Ripley, two desperate, tireless, out-of-work TV writers eager for tube glory. While this latter duo have more noble concepts on their minds, it is their offhanded remark about a cannibalism angle to sleazy promoter Kevin Blatt, who made a killing marketing the Paris Hilton sex tape, that gets the ball and cameras rolling. Blatt, you see, wants to step up to reality TV from porn. Barely a step up, as this doc has it. As American Cannibal suggests, making it in TV is about getting the dough and Blatt, delighted by prospects for a show ?where survival is just the beginning,? is in with the moolah.



Grebin and Nigro know a thing or two about narrative structure and show storytelling chops. They begin American Cannibal with location footage of the eponymous reality show that reveals the serious injury of a female contestant. The incident is so severe it may actually shut down the shoot.

What follows is the flashback to the behind-the-scenes journey of boy geniuses Roberts and Ripley as they take meetings with William Morris types and penetrate actual TV production offices like that of IFC to pitch less noxious projects, all in vain.



Their idea for ?Virgin Territory,? a reality show featuring real virgins, is unconsummated, even with the catchy ?When you win it, you lose it!? tagline. Producers aren?t seduced but at least one gives hope. ?You have the passion,? she assures the duo in the Esperanto of biz lingo.



Adding credibility and much amusement throughout are the many real-life media types who weigh in on the phenomenon of reality TV and other hot topics. Roberts and Ripley are perfect as the eager-beaver desperados and Blatt, a big fan of strippers, money and attention, is or plays the perfect greasy villain. He sums up his business philosophy by declaring, ?You?re either a pimp or a ?ho.?



American Cannibal is a genuine cinematic hoot, while also providing insight into the ways of American mass entertainment. The filmmakers deliver a clever, funny, convincing, slick package which also includes location shooting from coast to coast and the shores of Puerto Rico. With luck, word of mouth and positive media reception will give the doc the life on the big screen it deserves before going home sweet home.

?Doris Toumarkine