Pascal Laugier 's '' Martyrs '' was the subject of similar contention upon its debut at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival , where early reporting highlighted viewers ' divergent reactions to the film 's violence and socio-philosophical themes . Anton Bitel of Britain 's '' Film4 '' praised the film , saying it " eludes the ' torture porn ' label precisely by questioning what those terms might mean , what appeal they might possibly have , and what questions - fundamental , even metaphysical questions - they might answer " . Jamie Graham of '' Total Film '' called '' Martyrs '' " one of the most extreme pictures ever made , and one of the best horror movies of the last decade " . He also likened it to " a torture-porn movie for '' Guardian '' readers " , one that owed as much to Francis Bacon and Raphael as to its genre contemporaries . By contrast , writer and film scholar Jon Towlson says '' Martyrs '' " political intentions are less overt , more ambivalent and ultimately nihilistic " compared to its contemporaries . " Putting the audience ' through it , ' " he says , " is the film 's raison d'etre " Commenting on the controversy surrounding his film to IndieLondon , director Laugier said he felt " insulted " by many critics ' misinterpretations of '' Martyrs ''
2008 Cannes Film Festival
2008 Cannes Film Festival
New French Extremity