As I mentioned in the beginning, this is about obsession, cinematic and otherwise. Film going is a subjective experience - what you see in a film might not be there for me and vice versa. The most fascinating aspect of Cigarette Burns is the effect Le Fin Absolue du Monde has on the characters and how that comes out in different ways. People die in some fucked-up ways in this film, and it's all related to their particular obsessions (the filmic obsession feeds into other obsessions).
The most effective of these deaths is the scene where a character decides to completely give himself over to the cause of art in a gruesome and inventive way. The characters in Cigarette Burns, because of their obsessive natures, cannot resist looking into the mouth of Hell, and for seeing the unseeable, they are each brought to their own demise. It's the end of the world as they know it.
About the DVD extras: The main attraction on Anchor Bay's DVD is the twin commentary tracks. The first is from Carpenter, whose commentary tendencies run towards the dry and illustrative. (He's very much into reminding us what's happening on screen.) Nevertheless, he does share a couple insights (the Willowy Being in the film is intended as a sort of Prometheus Bound character; the film is informed in part by an incident where he had an opportunity to view what was supposed to be an actual snuff film) and notes the accomplishments of his actors, especially Udo Kier. He also acknowledges the debt that this film owes In the Mouth of Madness, references Fight Club and self-effacingly points out all the stuff he feels doesn't quite convince. Remember: Vancouver is not L.A.
The second commentary is by writers McWeeny and Swan, and theirs is a far looser and more cheerful affair. They discuss their experience as first-time writers and long-time film geeks (they admit that the script was a product of their geekhood, as the film's numerous references to other works and filmmakers bear out). Carpenter is thanked profusely for helping them shape the script and, ultimately, bringing it to life. McWeeny gets the DVD's best quip when, in discussing the idea of the Devil producing a film, he muses "Can you imagine the notes you'd get?" They also praise the dynamic insanity that is Udo Kier.
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Article comments
1 - Matthew Milam
I got love for Carpenter, but that episode wasn't it. Even Steven Weber couldn't make it right, and he's a King follower (with his episode Jennifer).
The real horror director in this is the one who hasn't even aired yet. All I'll say is that if you know the movie "Audition", you know of the man I speak of.
2 - Steve C.
Who expected Steven Weber to do anything right? He's a no-talent. The only thing Jenifer was good for was adding to the proof that Dario Argento shot his wad on 1988's Opera.
Also... man, I hope the Miike turns out good. Word's been encouraging, but Lord knows the guy's been irritatingly uneven these past few years. (Gozu would have been amazing at 80 minutes; at 130, it's just too much.) Hopefully, the length restriction will keep him from getting too self-indulgent.