AILEEN : LIFE AND DEATH OF A SERIAL KILLER (us dvd)
the 2002 interviews
a film by Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill

Acclaimed director, Nick Broomfield, takes us behind the sensational headlines of Ameria's first female serial killer (and real-life subject of the 2004 film, MONSTER), and into the true life and unbalanced mind of a woman trying to deal with a brutal past and en even more deadly future.
Filmed at Aileen's request, and containing her last interviews...

dvd review

Nick Broomfield's 2003 documentary sees a timely release in the States, on the same date as the dvd release of Monster (a film still playing in cinemas in the UK at time of writing), the dramatised account of Aileen Wuornos' life - that of a serial killer. It is for these reasons that the two films are also available together as a double-disc pack. Just a few weeks ago, I watched both films for the first time - having been largely unimpressed by Theron's performance in Monster, I then saw this documentary in its premiere on Channel 4 - and was impressed.

Aileen is essential viewing. Haunting and fascinating - I find myself not horrified at Aileen's crimes, but at the way the system has treated her since her arrest in 1990, through to her execution at the insistance of Jeb Bush (he of the Florida vote-rigging) in 2002. Broomfield opens with a brief account of Aileen's crimes, and the instance of his first documentary in the early 90s : The Selling of A Serial Killer, which recounts the crisis of integrity when much of the police force is revealed to have been selling Aileen's story in a Hollywood movie deal. The lack of promised investigation into that afterward, hints at Aileen's own strongly-held belief that she was being set-up. As the director notes, even Ted Bundy was offered life imprisonment, Aileen was given seven death penalties, despite her own mental instability and claims of self-defence.

As we pick up the story again, Aileen has had Broomfield called as a witness in her appeal (an episode which throws up interesting questions about media manipulation, integrity and the nature of truth - and nearly sees Broomfield's reputation tarred). And, as she finally gives in and changes her entire story, and commits herself to death, calling upon the documentary team to film her final interviews.

Were the director an American, one imagines a different tack and pace, but the educated Brit (during one situation where one of Aileen's friends claims gays hadn't been invented in her day, Nick responds with tongue-in-cheek "I'm from public school. We invented it, us and the Greeks"), shows tact and human interest. He is able to circumvent the media hype, and display a level-headed overview of the sorry tale. Aileen gradually comes across more and more as a sick, and lost individual. In her final interview, and following on from some secret filming, she appears totally insane. Her own lack of formal education, the series of abuses by everyone close to her - all add to a very unsettling picture.

One can't help but come away from the film, without a sense of dispair. You do feel sorry for Aileen - she's mentally screwed up. The picture here is far more human than that depicted in Monster. It neither belittles or sensationalises. Broomfield, displays all sides of the coin. As the lawyer notes early on, it is practice for film-makers to edit and paste to make their points, but yet we are drawn in. Rightly or wrongly, their is a sensation of trust in the vision as depicted.

Regardless, the film is haunting, and chilling. It raises questions about humanity, and about the jutice system. About the media, the nature of truth, and the state of the convictions on death row. More than that, it questions our very attitude.

There are some who will love, and some who will hate the film. Perhaps our response depends on our views beforehand, over issues like the death penalty. Broomfield's own viewpoints resonate throughout the documentary, and he is trying to get us to his way of thinking (editing and pasting). He always believed Aileen's first murder was committed in self-defence, and it sent her over the edge. I found myself in agreement. And yet, what do I know... I haven't seen all the evidence. Such is the power of the documentarist.

transfer
The film is nicely transfered. Having originated on video tape (I believe), any limitations of the medium are felt here. However, the print is clean and clear, and the sound is fine. Anything inaudible is subtitled, and the Dolby 2 channel sound, makes good use of the surround in the Pro-Logic setting, particularly with regards to the score.

extras
Completely bereft of substantial extras, which is a terrible shame. There are a couple of trailers at the start of the disc, including one for the dramatised account (I'm assuming the Hollywood film, discussed during this documentary) Monster.
It is a shame that Nick's earlier film, The Selling of a Serial Killer couldn't have been included on the disc, as the two films appear to be companion pieces. Whilst the documentary is no doubt, the director's comment on the trial, some additional thoughts and follow up pieces would have been nice as supplemental features, to enhance the potential scope of a dvd release. However, an astounding and riviting film in itself.

RJES

PURCHASE R1 DVD

purchase R1 2DVD pack of AILEEN & MONSTER

DISC:
Release Date: June 2004 (US)

Feature length: 89 mins
Year of 1st release: 2003
Rating: R (for language, including violent, and sexual dialogue)
Aspect Ratio: fullscreen
Audio: English (Dolby Surround 2.0)
No of Discs: 1
Region code: 1
Catalogue no: 05725
Distributor: Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
Price:
Cast: Aileen Wuornos
Director: Nick Broomfield

SPECIAL FEATURES:
* Monster theatrical trailer
* subtitles : English / French
see left for full details