Written by John Edward Betancourt It is definitely safe to say that horror is hands down, the most intelligent, brave and downright educational genre out there, and for proof… just look at the genre’s body of work. For time and time again, it has addressed topics revolving around our world and the human condition in an objective manner that offers us perspective. Not to mention, it is always eager to handle taboo topics that people shy away from to put the problems we face front and center and that has led to some powerful storytelling throughout the years. The kind that is iconic in nature, since so many horror stories are passed down from generation to generation because of what they tackle. But what is truly amazing about the genre, is that it continues to evolve regarding its examinations of the human condition and our modern society. Which in turn has allowed for the genre to begin to tackle more intimate topics such as depression, trauma and the like, and it has also allowed for it… to begin to explore some of the biggest problems that plague us. The kind that we seemingly cannot shake regardless of knowing how bad the issue at hand is, and it makes sense as to why. Because we are desperate to have those answers and solve these problems so the world and our species can move forward at last, and it just so happens that this Thursday, Shudder will be host to a film in that vein. One that ponders upon the genesis and potential solution to a problem that we cannot be free of… racism. A feat that Burial accomplishes by taking us on quite the unique journey. One that starts in 1991 in London on the day the Soviet Union fell, wherein we are introduced to a woman named Anna, who is carrying quite the secret, one a Neo-Nazi is eager for her to reveal. For back in 1945, Anna was known as Brana Vasilyeva, a Soviet soldier that was tasked with quite the mission. Wherein she and her squad were to bring the remains of one Adolf Hitler to Moscow so Josef Stalin could see proof that his nemesis had fallen. A voyage that proved to be problematic, thanks to Nazi Werewolves. A crackpot team of commandos sworn to uphold the ideals of Reich, who knew of her cargo and its value to the Nazi remnant, and now to put the past to bed once again… Anna/Brana must tell the tale of how this fight ended… and how it changed her life and will soon change the life of the man that dared to dig up old ghosts. Which is… the perfect way to explore racism and its power and how we potentially combat it. Because that meaningless corpse, and the plans intended for it… really do offer up stunning insight into how hate spreads and how bad ideas resonate with the wrong people and that in turn… gives the viewer pause. Because it quickly teaches us how fear is weaponized and used as a rallying cry when introduced through misinformation and ire and fury and how quickly men adopt it and above all, it teaches us how hard it is for people to let go of. Because despite seeing such lies be exposed through the end of the war, the villains still believe in the Reich, and are determined to be near the body of the foolish buffoon that started such madness, and that too… leaves one in silence. Since it parallels our own world quite well and reminds us of the fact that this problem hasn’t gone away. It’s instead festered and grown in silence, as has the fear that motivates it and that in turn… is where we find ourselves eager to learn how to combat it, and this film offers up some fascinating common sense answer to that. First and foremost, it informs us that it must be stood up to. For it cannot be tolerated, for that is how it grows and when it appears it must be fought against and shut down, so that those who would spread it and nurture it, live in fear of exposing themselves and their wrongful beliefs and that we also need… fundamental change. Be it to education and whatever else is necessary, so that men like the Werewolves… and Hitler, are never to be seen again in this lifetime or any other. Which are hopeful and welcome thoughts to find alongside such dark subject matter. However, at this point, you may be asking… how on earth does a story about Hitler’s corpse and his twisted followers denote any sense of horror? To which I counter, how does it not? For Hitler was a monster as were his most devout followers as well, and time has proven that humanity is the greatest monster of all in horror, when it chooses to embrace its demons, and having people cherish the corpse of a little man that dreamed monstrous thoughts… is about as horrific as it gets. If anything, all of these elements make this a powerful and poignant horror film. One that we have made a point to not spoil so you can enjoy all the darkness and gravitas it has to offer when it debuts on Shudder this Thursday, December 29, 2022, and we certainly hope you give it a look. Because it really is an intelligent and thoughtful film, one that truly offers the right advice at the right time… since that brand of evil is trying hard to make a comeback.
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