Man Bites Dog:
It Happened in Your Neighborhood
(aka:C'est arrivé près de chez vous) 
 (1992)
review by Head Cheeze

When film students Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, and Benoît Poelvoorde set out to make their debut, C'est arrivé près de chez vous, the intention was to make an entertaining film for little-to-no money. The fact that Poelvoorde, who starred in the film and also wrote the script, plays a serial killer followed around the streets of France by a documentary film crew, was more or less a last minute choice, with Poelvoorde citing that it would have been just as easy to make the film's subject a door to door salesman. If that were the case, however, the world would have been deprived of the most sublime and inventive commentary on the symbiotic relationship between media and violence to date, even if the filmmakers don't see it that way.

Ben (Poelvoorde) is a professional serial killer. He doesn't kill for sport,(although he clearly loves his job); he kills for the money. Documentary filmmakers Andre and Remy (and their various soundmen..hehehe) find him a fascinating subject and are shooting his daily exploits for a film, partially funded by the loot they rummage from Ben's victims. As Ben's ego becomes more inflated and his behavior more eratic, the documentary crew find themselves trapped in his downward spiral.

C'est arrivé près de chez vous is a film that is as equally disturbing as it is hilarious. Poelvoorde's performance as the twisted yet gregarious Benoit is spot on brilliant. His charisma is infectious and one can see how the mild-mannered Remy and Andre would be held under his sway. That, combined with the fact that all of the actors were friends and family of the filmmakers, including Poelvoorde's real life mother portraying Ben's mother on-screen, is a true testament to the potential of great cinema through guerilla filmmaking. Shot cinema verite' style, C'est arrivé près de chez vous proves totally immersive and utterly convincing, which is why some viewers have found this film too disturbing. Personally, I think the film has it's moments where I was thinking to myself "Why am I enjoying this?!", but all of it is underscored with a huge exclamation point and subtle yet effective humor that softens the blow. There are times when this combination will have you rolling on the floor laughing, and other times when you'll recoil in an attempt to pander to your better judgement. In either case, the film moves you to feel, something most movies can't claim to do.

The Criterion DVD features a beautiful transfer from the original 35mm print (itself blown up from Super 16), with the expected amount of grain and artifacting for a film of C'est arrivé près de chez vous origins. The set features a 1992 video from the Criterion laserdisc release, as well as a new essay from André Bonzel, and extensive liner notes. The theatrical trailer, stills gallery, and a short film from the trio are also included, making this the definitive release of a modern classic.