The Life Zone: If Saw and Human Centipede had a baby
The glow of pregnancy
Three young women wake up, confused and terrified, in a room that looks like a cross between a normal hospital room and the creepy underground lair of some mad scientist from a horror movie. A video screen flickers on and a creepy older man, looking a bit like Academy-award-nominee Robert Loggia, appears on it, telling the women that he’s their “jailer.” The women, you see, had all been getting abortions when their jailer’s shadowy accomplices kidnapped them and brought them to this strange prison, where they will be forced to live for the next seven months until they gave birth. “You were all on the operating table, all ready to commit murder,” announces a mysterious doctor. “Your babies will be given life just as God planned.”
This is the premise of a new horror film called The Life Zone, which recently had its world premiere at the prestigious, er, Hoboken International Film Festival, a festival that was, perhaps not coincidentally, founded and chaired by the film’s writer and producer, Kenneth del Vecchio. In case you think I’m making all this up, here’s the film’s trailer, which makes The Life Zone look a bit like an equal-parts mixture of Saw, Human Centipede, and The Handmaid’s Tale, with Robert Loggia in the role of Jigsaw/Dr. Heiter/The Commander:
Now, if you thought that something seemed really … off about that trailer, well, you’re not alone. For the film is not, as you might have assumed from my description, a warning against the fanatical misogyny of many in the anti-abortion movement.
No, the film – produced by a pro-life former judge, crime thriller author, and Republican New Jersey state senate candidate – is meant as pro-life propaganda. As the offical press release for the film’s premiere put it:
The film, which appears to cut right down the middle [of the abortion debate], examining the topic from both sides, offers a powerful, anti-abortion climactic twist. Del Vecchio and the cast invite pro-lifers to come to this historic event.
During the months the three women are held in captivity, you see, they are exposed to a barrage of films and books intended to, er, educate them about abortion –what their attending obstetrician Dr. Wise describes as “an abortion think tank.” Two of the captive women do indeed convert to the pro-life side; apparently we in the audience are supposed to develop Stockholm Syndrome along with them. The third, as we see in the trailer, tries to induce a miscarriage, which doesn’t go quite as planned.
And this sets us up for the final twist, which I’m just going to go ahead and reveal: once all three women have given birth, Dr. Wise tells them she’s going to sew them all, mouth-to-vagina, into a Human Abortion-pede!
Actually no: the twist is that the “life zone” the three women in has actually been … purgatory! All three “captives,” you see, had died on the operating table while getting their abortions. (Apparently they went to the world’s worst abortion clinic, as first-trimester abortions don’t involve anything more surgically invasive than the insertion of a suction tube; the risk of death from a legal surgical abortion is 0.0006%, one in 160,000 cases, making the procedure many times safer than childbirth itself.) Their time in the “life zone” was a test: the two women who changed their minds were whisked up to heaven, while their miscarriage-attempting, stubbornly pro-choice companion is sent straight to H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks. Dr. Wise, despite being on the right side of the abortion question, also goes to hell for committing suicide. And, oh yeah, their jailer – Loggia – was Satan. Why Satan and a hell-bound doctor were the ones trying to convert the abortion ladies to the pro-life side I can’t tell you; del Vecchio’s theology is evidently more sophisticated than I am.
The real twist here? As Jersey Journal writer Alan Robb notes:
The Life Zone went viral across the internet [last] Friday after blogs The Frisky and Talking Points Memo picked up on the film’s trailer. … But despite garnering more than 20,000 hits on YouTube in the last four days, only fifty people – including the film’s cast and producers – attended this weekend’s screening, and even those who starred in the movie didn’t know how to interpret its twist ending.
It’s impossible to tell from the trailer if the film is bad in a so-bad-it’s-good way, or if it’s just plain awful. I will try to get hold of it when it hits video, and will report back with my results.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for a good horror film set in a creepy hospital, try renting Infection, a Japanese film from 2005. Or, if you’ve got a longer attention span, try Lars Von Trier’s supernatural soap opera The Kingdom, a darkly comic miniseries which takes place in what one might call, paraphrasing Bill Murray’s character in Tootsie, “one nutty hospital.” Both are conveniently available on Netflix instant watch, so you don’t even have to leave your pregnancy dungeon to see them.
EDITED: Added some info on the minimal dangers of abortion procedures.
Posted on June 8, 2011, in creepy, evil women, misogyny, patriarchy, reactionary bullshit, vaginas. Bookmark the permalink. 1,066 Comments.
@Katz rly? :) ty! I used to always HATE wearing glasses (I have contacts too) until I got these, now I rarely wear my contacts (except when I want to wear my big celeb type sunglasses xD ) I just love my metallic pink glasses so much :D
Also rly about my hair? :o I need to get it re-dyed once I get my paycheque :\ It’s pretty pricey… weirdly I’ve had a lot of compliments about it lately, and ppl thinking it’s on purpose… I think it’s cuz the back part of my hair is black, so it looks like it COULD be on purpose, vs that if my hair was ttlly blonde except for the grown out part at the top xD
But TY! :3
I’m in Puget Sound – anyone close?
We could pick a day and do multiple meetings – I did that for a Magnificent Seven convention and it was a lot of fun.
I can’t believe we’re at 631 comments alrdy. O_O;; The thread with Arnie took 4 days to get to 666 xD
Ok, guys, I have returned with my sins! Trip report! I saw a house cat and a fox on my to the store. And someone yelled “Aureola!” at me from a moving car. And there was a man in line behind me making faces at his baby. It was cute. But there is nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer’s night. And a cigarette.
@Sarah J, Yeah, depression is like a kick in the teeth. It’s been a lot of work, and set me back a ton. But I think I am making progress. And now that I’ve thought about it, I wouldn’t change places with MRAL to escape it. My hard won progress is worth too much to me.
And MRAL, I didn’t know you actually blind in one eye. That really is a minor disability. I’m sorry. You really, really should seek therapy at your school.
And I think a Manboobz meetup is a great idea, but I’m in the Washington DC area. Oh well.
And the best worst movie I have ever seen is The Head that Wouldn’t Die! It’s HILARIOUS.
@Ami and Spear
“Does everyone here live in New England but me?”
Nope, I live in Southern Ontario, about four hours away from Toronto, which I’m visiting this weekend, incidentally.
MRAL, I just checked the National Health Statistic Reports “Anthropometric Reference Data for Children and Adults: United States, 2003–2006″ it says that the mean height for males over 20 in the united states is 5’9.4″ and that the middle 50 percentile fall between 5’7.4″ and 5’11.5″. You are 5/8 of an inch below the mean, and well within the middle 50 percent. Your obsession with your height sounds like body dysmorphia, which is highly treatable.
Since you can’t see out of your malformed eye, why not use an eye patch?
The best worst movie in the world, by the way, is Cry-Baby. It’s a John Waters film starring a very young Johnny Depp in a Grease-lite rockabilly teen musical. It is amazing.
Alex, it’s kind of funny. Sometimes (usually on a more moderate feminist blog, like Manboobz or maybe some (SOME) of Hugo Schwyzer’s posts, I find myself nodding and thinking that maybe feminism is not so bad. But then someone inevitably brings up some asinine topic like the wage gap or people start bashing men and everyone shows their true colors. I remember that sort of stuff.
Also, re: Alpha family, I am actually the shortest one in my immediate family. I come from tall stock! My brother is 6′ 4″ and 23. I’m pretty sure he’s a virgin.
I’m in DC too.
Love scene? Does “Re-Animator” count?
Hmm.. I rely on public transit to get everywhere, but I wonder if there’s some central place we could all get to at some point? This could be a lot of fun! :)
Thing is, fatman, that includes Asians, Mexicans, old people, and they all drag the mean down a little. For white and black men who are under 40 (most of the people I interact with are white or black) it’s more 5’10.5, maybe even 5’11.
“Alex, it’s kind of funny. Sometimes (usually on a more moderate feminist blog, like Manboobz or maybe some (SOME) of Hugo Schwyzer’s posts, I find myself nodding and thinking that maybe feminism is not so bad. But then someone inevitably brings up some asinine topic like the wage gap or people start bashing men and everyone shows their true colors. I remember that sort of stuff.”
The impression I get is that people here basically think the same thing about you.
@Spearhafoc I’m in Toronto!
@Johnny Pez They do! xD But we aren’t ashamed of it :D Well some are.. I’m just amused xD
@Holly *checks TSN* wow xD Another 4 past Roberto teh sieve xD Awesome :3 (I told you I hate the Canucks too xD ) That’s 12 in 2 games… this is familiar… (the Chi series was like this… hopefully you guys have better luck! before the zamboni accident neways >_> )
Kirbywarp – I’m close to the T also. We could meet maybe at the Prudential Center food court?
I’m busy this weekend and on Thursdays, but have a pretty flexible schedule besides that.
@Spear @Alex ooh! We could do ManBoobz meet up 2: THE REVENGE! :D
High five, Molly Ren! We could have our own little meet up! =D
I’m also the shortest one in my family! No idea whether my younger brother is a virgin or not; it’s not something I intend to question him about :) He’s a tallish rangy fellow.
And MRAL, I haven’t seen anyone bash men on this blog. Personally, I like men. I live with one. And my brother’s a good guy. I don’t blame my boyfriend or my brother or any other penis possessor for the shitty things some men do. I do, however, expect them to be aware of the privilege that comes with being a cis male.
Wait, Leff-tennant, you’ve only ever had one female friend? That’s kind of frelled up, dude.
Or am I misunderstanding you?
“Out of curiosity-what has been the absolute worst love scene you ever saw?”
I kind of want to say it was in “Zoo,” but it was shot so fucking beautifully. It was more the concept of it that was not so good.
I get off work at around 5 or so, and it takes a bit to get back… hmm… We could plan on something like 6 on Friday? And anybody else who can make the trip totally should!
Everyone come over to my house…tonight! I have a giant box of Ghirardelli chocolate brownie mix!
*becomes Vancouver Ami from Earth 3*
YOU SUCK HOLLY, WE’LL GET OUR REVENGE! JUST WATCH NEXT GAME! WE’LL BITE OFF ALL YOUR FINGERS IF WE HAVE TO! >:O
MRAL, I don’t think you can remember all the stupid shit that goes on in *any* activist group and still be an activist. The fat activists get worked up if a Tumblr’s only for photo submissions of people of a certain size. Blog carnivals that try to be inclusive for a certain group aren’t always as inclusive as they could be. And even feminists sometimes forget about the disabled people and the trans people.
Don’t any of the men’s rights people get on your nerves?
Wait, no, I change my vote.
The best worst movie OF ALL TIME, and also the best worst love scene, are absolutely indisputable.
Showgirls.
That is all.
@MRAL,
O_O -_- O_O There is a wage gap.
Also, bashing idiots who happen to be men (what feminists do from time to time) and bashing men generally simply for being men (possible on some more radical blogs) are two very, very different things. If you are a misogynist, subtle or explicit, feminists will call you out on it, and while this misogyny is largely carried out by men, there are women who do it too, and they also get called out.
That’s another thing! The privilege crap. That makes me so angry. I’m privileged? FUCK that. Anytime privilege is mentioned it’s sure to devolve into a victim fetish marathon. Schwyzer in particular loves this. He’s making some legitimate points (I don’t deny women suffer in CERTAIN WAYS) and I’m like sure, this is cool, he’s making points, I can get behind this. Then he brings out some crap about “our male privilege” and I want to punch him in the face. PRIVILEGE? PRIVILEGE??????????
it says that the mean height for males over 20 in the united states is 5’9.4″ and that the middle 50 percentile fall between 5’7.4″ and 5’11.5″.
Is that morning height or evening height?
@MRAL So if you were Asian or Mexican would you feel better about your height? :] Is heightism a relative thing or is it fixed? Since you’ve been saying it’s fixed, but now you reject the average b/c it’s relative…
Kirby – I can do 6 next Friday! Even if it’s just the two of us… MANBOOBZ IS GOING REAL WORLD Y’ALL.
man, the later it gets, the more that caps lock key just speaks to me, man
@Ami,
“We could do ManBoobz meet up 2: THE REVENGE!”
That would be awesome!
Sigh.
MRAL, how much time have you spent worrying about being raped or sexually assaulted?
The wage gap is crap. It technically exists, but not in the sense that women are paid less for the same work. DEFINITELY not at the very automated lower levels. It’s victim fetishism and devalues my work. I VERY MUCH resent being told that the women/girls who work scooping ice cream or lifeguarding make less money than I do. That’s BULL. SHIT. There may be legitimately troubling reasons women choose- CHOOSE- less paying jobs or don’t work at all, but it’s not a “wage gap”.
Just to make sure, do you mean a week and a day-ish from now? Whee! Meeting strangers on the internetz is fun!
Sarah, we could! Though I think we should go over to Formerly Elizabeth’s first for brownies…
I’d be cooler with my height if I was Asian because I’d probably hang mostly with Asians. Wouldn’t mitigate heightism but would, personally, for me, muffle it because I wouldn’t be forced to associate with cracker honkey heightists as much.
MRAL – Privilege means you get certain things that women don’t; it doesn’t mean your life is served up on a silver platter. You can have privilege and still have shit luck, or have other disadvantages. It doesn’t mean the privilege isn’t real, just that it isn’t all-encompassing.
I’m privileged, for instance, in that I can walk. It doesn’t meant that my life is without real and serious obstacles–it means that I don’t have to deal with the specific obstacles faced by people who cannot walk.
“The impression I get is that people here basically think the same thing about you.”
Yep.
Quoting myself here because I’m genuinely curious.
Ami: yea rly. I should get an emo-style haircut sometime, but it would probably bug me having my hair in my eyes.
I personally have a soft spot for Wing Commander xD But Showgirls prolly gets a vote from me too xD
OH NO WAIT
THE BEST WORST MOVIE IS STEEL
tho that doesn’t have a love scene (THANK GOD) but that movie is GOLD xD
A 7’2″ 300lb black guy beats up your gang and you go after his family, then a 7’2″ 300lb black guy in a SUIT beats up your gang and you have no idea who he is xD
Also the chase scene where Shaq is fleeing the police on his motorbike and he gets his Oracle type girl to hack the city traffic systems to get the lights to go green and he screams as he heads towards them like it’s a brick wall until she turns them green and he wooshes thru xD And the police stop when she turns them red .. it’s like she just raised and lowered a draw bridge except.. y’know… not XD
MOST LAW ABIDING VIGILANTE EVAR! (and cops! O: )
I love men. Most of friends are men. Most of lovers are/have been men. I’m closer to my father then my mother. (She is still an awesome woman.) I idolized my older brother growing up. I am still a pretty hard-core Fucking Feminist!
And, MRAL, you do have privilege, I suspect everyone here does to varying to degrees. I know I do. I mean, you are attending college! Do you understand how lucky that makes you?!? I wish I could.
You would be a much more approachable, likeable person if you would take a little humbleness into you, and understand all of the amazing goodness in your life!
Also, you should get therapy.
I wasn’t really interested romantically (she was in a relationship), it was just so novel to interact with a female who didn’t consider me shit for one reason or another.
You do realize that high school sucks for everyone, right?
The wage gap is crap. It technically exists, but not in the sense that women are paid less for the same work.
The next time someone asks me to explain ‘cognitive dissonance’, I’m going to give them that sentence.
Kirby – I mean the 17th, yes.
Whee!
6p at the Pru on the 17th, y’all! I’ll be the incredibly short woman wearing a very red shirt.
…and now I am going sleepy-bye. Nights all. Don’t let the bedbugs bite. Also don’t let the people who are constantly extremely offensive, but seem to show a glimmer of hope so we’re inordinately nice to them when we really don’t have to be, get you down!
Everyone come over to my house…tonight! I have a giant box of Ghirardelli chocolate brownie mix!
YUM! We make those at least once a week! Is it the Double Chocolate kind–chocolate with chocolate chips?
Molly, sure, a lot of MRAs get on my nerves. I don’t really like NWOslave, for example. It’s sort of an extreme movement, I recognize that. But a lot more really speak to me.
Spear, no, you’re reading it right. I really have only had one female friend. And I’m not even sure she’d count…. actually, I’m thinking about it, we knew each other well enough. So I guess I have four friends. Not sure we’ll talk next year though.
Molly I am only inviting y’all over for someone to clean up the pans. :D
Yep, I’m going to bed too. I have to play/teach children all day tomorrow.
@Holly
Hooray! I’ll be the absurdly tall guy with the blue/cyan exercise pants!
Night Holly.
Pix or it didn’t happen btw.
xD
@Toronto Ppls, maybe we should set up a meet up too? :3
No idea CB-I just tossed it into the backseat of the car for transporting home after I leave work.
Okay, one last thought.
If a woman went on a MRA board spouting radical feminist opinions and constantly deriding MRAs in particular and men in general, but seemed to have sort of a chance of being friendly-ish to men, maybe, and was very young and clearly had a lot of personal problems, what do you think would happen?
I’m thinking that I could pretty much end the story at “woman on an MRA board,” for one thing, but woman being angry at men on an MRA board… definitely no one would be telling her to buck up and try getting out in the world and try getting therapy because really there are nice people out there and it gets better.
I mean, that’s not even a plausible fantasy.
That’s very sad.
Holly re. privilege, that’s what the feminists like Schwyzer sometimes mention, but come on. All they EVER talk about it how much male privilege there is (they’re wrong).
Spear, well I don’t really see why.
How’s next weekend for everybody?
No one else lives in AZ…probably for good reason.
So Asian ppl aren’t heightest… just white ppl o:
Asian people are heightist in their own parameters, ie, since they’re shorter, probably anyone under 5’6 or 5’5 is discriminated against. I’d escape that, though.
next as in this coming or the one after this one? :o
Should be fine w/ me for either :3
I have an essay due this coming Monday, so the one after this would be best for me.
No no Ami, Asian people are just shorter than him, and are therefore fine. White and Black people are, on average, taller than him, so therefore not fine.
@MRAL,
“It’s victim fetishism and devalues my work.”
And my work isn’t devalued when some MRA asshole tells me the wage disappears when you factor in for seniority, etc. and when I mention that men having seniority more often than women is problem, he says that it’s because men ask more and work harder? Especially when I worked minimum wage at a garden centre where the guys took every opportunity they had to not do shit all when meanwhile the women, including myself, worked our asses off, rain or shine. And now at my new job, I haven’t even been there a year, and I’ve already put in a fuckload of overtime, once working 126 hours (that’s not even including lunch and dinner breaks) in 9 days. That itself was part of a month of constant overtime, and the guy who offered to help because he wanted more hours? He never stayed past 10ish. I work minimum wage. Most of my coworkers are women who work as seamstresses. Some of them have been working there for over twenty years with minimal raises. The owner of the company is a man. His father was stingy with raises; he gives absolutely none. Men tend to occupy higher-paying positions while women end up working low-paying jobs. Men and women can work the same jobs, but a man has a better chance of getting seniority, raises, etc. There’s the wage gap for you. It doesn’t exist? Fuck, I live it; I literally watch other women live it.
I phrased that poorly,
I have an essay due this coming Monday, so the weekend after this upcoming one would be best for me.
Tired. Going to bed. G’night, everybody.
“Holly re. privilege, that’s what the feminists like Schwyzer sometimes mention, but come on. All they EVER talk about it how much male privilege there is (they’re wrong).”
Didn’t Newsweek write an article a while back about how middle-aged successful white men were going extinct?
Privilege is mentioned here also.
Awesome that works :) You Alex? :3
Good night to the sleepyheads!
And I am totally down for brownies, Formerly Elizabeth! I’ll even wash pans! XD
Molly Ren, I’m going to be at the Pride Parade this Saturday. How about you? We could be having a Man Boobz meet-up, and celebrating mad pride! =D
Are we still talking about hair? I’m planning on getting a Joan Jett style Mullet! =D
Final point- wtf would therapy do? As I’ve said, my problems are immutable.