SCUM, originally commissioned by the BBC and then later banned after it's contents were considered to "rough", is a harsh look into the lives of a group of youths being held at a British borstal (juvenile correctional facility). Violence and submission are the rules that the youths live by, and although cliché - it's often true that in situations and environments such as these, it's "survival of the fittest"...
Carlin is the "new-guy" at this particular borstal, having been transferred after being accused of assaulting a guard. Carlin is hassled by the current "Daddy" (self-appointed "toughest" kid on the wing and "leader") Pongo, who wants to make it clear that although Carlin may have been the Daddy where he was, it ain't gonna be the same here. Carlin initially goes into the borstal with his mind set on doing his time and getting out - but after receiving a vicious beating from Pongo and his boys, Carlin resorts back to the behaviors that he "knows", and decides to retaliate. Meanwhile, we also meet other of the borstal residents, including the brainy and mischievous Archer, and several other of the boys. Inside the facility, we witness the daily violence, humiliation, and despair that the boys face at the hands of the brutal "screws" (adult guards) and each other.
SCUM is a harsh and realistic look at the life that these kids live while in the "correctional facility" system. Not that these kids should necessarily be "pitied" - as many are locked up for violent and serious crimes - but it also makes the point that countering violence with more violence and degradation doesn't really work either. Some will find SCUM a little too much - as the audience is witness to brutal beatings, suicide of two of the young "residents" and a brutal gang rape - but those that can appreciate strong, "in your face" films, this will probably be appealing. Think American ME meets KIDS (but made in 1979). The performances from all of the kids and guards are VERY strong and are worth mentioning as well and really carry the film. My only complaint is that SCUM tends to go in several different directions at once, so when we first meet Carlin, the film seems to focus on him, but then goes off to focus on another resident for long stretches, and then back to Carlin - giving the film a somewhat disjointed quality. Even so - SCUM is a powerful film and definitely worth checking out...9/10
Carlin is the "new-guy" at this particular borstal, having been transferred after being accused of assaulting a guard. Carlin is hassled by the current "Daddy" (self-appointed "toughest" kid on the wing and "leader") Pongo, who wants to make it clear that although Carlin may have been the Daddy where he was, it ain't gonna be the same here. Carlin initially goes into the borstal with his mind set on doing his time and getting out - but after receiving a vicious beating from Pongo and his boys, Carlin resorts back to the behaviors that he "knows", and decides to retaliate. Meanwhile, we also meet other of the borstal residents, including the brainy and mischievous Archer, and several other of the boys. Inside the facility, we witness the daily violence, humiliation, and despair that the boys face at the hands of the brutal "screws" (adult guards) and each other.
SCUM is a harsh and realistic look at the life that these kids live while in the "correctional facility" system. Not that these kids should necessarily be "pitied" - as many are locked up for violent and serious crimes - but it also makes the point that countering violence with more violence and degradation doesn't really work either. Some will find SCUM a little too much - as the audience is witness to brutal beatings, suicide of two of the young "residents" and a brutal gang rape - but those that can appreciate strong, "in your face" films, this will probably be appealing. Think American ME meets KIDS (but made in 1979). The performances from all of the kids and guards are VERY strong and are worth mentioning as well and really carry the film. My only complaint is that SCUM tends to go in several different directions at once, so when we first meet Carlin, the film seems to focus on him, but then goes off to focus on another resident for long stretches, and then back to Carlin - giving the film a somewhat disjointed quality. Even so - SCUM is a powerful film and definitely worth checking out...9/10