11. The War Zone (1999)
The directorial debut of Tim Roth, The War Zone follows a family who have relocated from London to the verdant fields of Devon. Tom, the teenage son, is rather distressed at leaving his old friends behind. His misery is compounded when he finds out that his sister Jessie is having an incestuous relationship with their father (played by Ray Winstone). Tensions between brother and sister simmer, will Tom reveal the dreadful secret at the heart of his family? The use of atmospheric locations - foreboding cliffs, a rain swept countryside, dismal weather all combine to make The War Zone a bleak and uncompromising film. The acting is excellent with Ray Winstone giving a nuanced performance as the child abusing father. He is not made out to be a total villain, his characterisation is more complex than that of the outright abusing baddie. This makes The War Zone even more difficult to watch. There is abundant nudity in the film which seems a tad bit gratuitous - a bit of a meaningless plot filler, and yes, we are treated to sex scenes between father and daughter. All I have to say is that your enjoyment of The War Zone depends on your willingness to be challenged and shook up by cinema. It is not a perfect film, but it is compelling uncompromising viewing for viewers who dare to go there.