Review of "Seven Signs"

Director J.D. Wilkes brings us this engrossing documentary that tells the stories of inhabitants of the Christ-haunted South. Music and faith tie the film together into a cohesive string that examines the place of Southerners in the modern world.

Seven Signs
Directed by J.D. Wilkes
My Opinion: Impressively honest.
Recommended.

Wilkes's film holds onto a grim tone from beginning to end: each Southerner has a different story to share and all are undercut by a persistent darkness. The most impressive quality of Seven Signs is the authenticity. Wilkes approaches each subject as they are: human beings surviving in their environment. The intimacy of the subjects is shocking: Wilkes is able to access the depths of their humanity. There is absolutely no judgement in his portrayal and this resonates with the viewer. Instead of the horror that one feels during films like Jesus Camp, instead the viewer experiences a deepened understanding. This intimacy is the core of documentary filmmaking and Wilkes accomplishes this feat with ease.

The music in the film varies, but it is always beautiful, accenting the ghostly landscapes artfully and moving the film forward without lulls. The variety of Wilkes's subjects also prevent the film from dragging. A captivating outcast who opens his heart to the camera, a horror show host with a fascinating past and a sideshow operator, one of the last remaining in the country, are just a few of the diverse characters in the film.

The film is grotesque and haunting. Ghost stories are discussed appropriately, graveyards are frequented, yet this film is not about poltergeists or those who believe in them. Rather, it is an honorable tribute to Southern life and the culture that is so rarely appreciated in such an authentic manner.