I liked this but there were too many Nazis and sado-masochists and not enough model railway enthusiasts...
Directed by Ulrich Seidl
In the Basement
Im Keller
An atmospheric, gritty documentary.
Documentary
2014
1h 21m
3.5(6.9k)via LetterboxdAlessa Duchek + 4 more
Filmmaker Ulrich Seidl explores of the dark underside of the human psyche by entering Austrian basements fitted out as private domains for secrets and fetishes.
Where to watch
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Cast & crew
6What people say
I didn't like this film but here is my ranking of the people and their basements:1. Mini bar couple: No thoughts, head empty. Just sitting there in their private bar and wearing matching outfits.2. Model train guy: I very much like his train, and that incredible mural.3. Catholic needle lady: She seems chill idk.4. Laundromat women: Just standing there… menacingly.5. Emo teens: I feel threatened yet oddly comforted.6. Fake baby lady: She just likes holding fake babies, and that’s okay.7. Semen guy: “I can shoot off a very powerful load of semen.” One of the better looking basements. 8. Shooting range guy: He needs to hang out with people that aren’t islamophobic. I hope his singing career takes off.9. Locker room guys: They sleeb. Do not disturb.10. Expensive furniture couple: Their basement is pretty ugly, but they only use it for birthdays so it's okay.11. Snake guy: That snake is beautiful, but I felt sorry for the guinea pig.12. Sound equipment guy: I can't tell if this is a new guy or not. But he looks like he’s on a space ship.13. Treadmill guy: Yeah idk he just runs. Is this the same basement as swimming pool guy and rower guy? I can’t tell.14. Cock & ball torture couple: I'll never forgive my professor for making me watch this. Not to kink shame those people though.15. Ammo guy: I just don’t like his vibe.16. Trophy hunter guy: Not my favourite type of guy. I appreciate him not having eaten a baboon though.17. Nazi guy: Well, he’s a fucking nazi. And his music is shit.
As someone who has never had my own basement as an adult, I forget what sacred spaces they are. You can tuck something away, memorialize something, make a holy tomb all your own.
Common questions
What is In the Basement about?+
Filmmaker Ulrich Seidl explores the dark underside of the human psyche by entering Austrian basements fitted out as private domains for secrets and fetishes.
Who directed In the Basement?+
It was directed by Austrian filmmaker Ulrich Seidl in 2014.
Has In the Basement won any awards?+
It premiered at the Venice Film Festival and received widespread critical attention for its unflinching approach.
