Santa Sangre – Severin Blu-ray Review

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Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Santa Sangre is a visually captivating and deeply unsettling journey into the realms of psychological horror, surrealism, religion, trauma and rebirth all while taking a dip into experimental Giallo. 

The film centers on Fenix, a young man who, under the control of his mother (who seems ‘armless enough), embarks on a dark, twisted and murderous path after escaping from a mental institution. 

The narrative weaves through Fenix’s traumatic childhood in a circus, his tragic relationship with his parents, and his struggle for freedom and identity in a hallucinatory blend of horror, drama, and fantasy. 

Axel Jodorowsky (and Adan) as Fenix delivers a haunting portrayal of a man torn between devotion and madness. Blanca Guerra, as his mother, brings a chilling presence that dominates the screen, embodying both victim and villain.

The film’s visual style is one of its most striking features, blending vibrant, grotesque imagery with rich symbolism. Jodorowsky’s direction is masterful, creating a world that is both nightmarish and poignant. Each scene is meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of unease and wonder, often blurring the line between reality and hallucination.

The Severin Films 2-disc Blu-ray release of is a treasure trove for fans and cinephiles. The first disc features a pristine 4K scan from the original negative, supervised by Jodorowsky himself, ensuring the film looks better than ever.

Disc two is rich with supplementary material. The 96-minute documentary “Forget Everything You Have Ever Seen” is an exhaustive look at the making of the film, featuring interviews with cast and crew. The 30th-anniversary celebration segment provides a nostalgic look back at the film’s impact. Additionally, a documentary on the real-life inspiration for the story and various interviews expand on the cultural and personal influences behind Santa Sangre.

Overall, the extras provide a comprehensive understanding of the film’s creation, its place in cinematic history, and its enduring legacy. This release is a must-have for enthusiasts of Jodorowsky’s work and those interested in avant-garde cinema.

The film explores themes of control, liberation, and the impact of trauma, using religious and mythological allegories. It challenges the viewer to interpret its layered symbolism and confront the darker aspects of human nature.

Santa Sangre is not a film for the faint-hearted but for those who like a bit of Giallo it offers a profound and unforgettable experience, showcasing Jodorowsky’s unique vision and storytelling prowess.

Santa Sangre is a sometimes disturbing yet beautiful exploration of the human condition, rendered with the surrealistic flair that only Jodorowsky can provide. It’s a must-watch for fans of psychological horror and a great addition to any Giallo library.

The extras include

  • Audio Commentary with Alejandro Jodorowsky and Journalist Alan Jones
  • New Blood – Alejandro Jodorowsky on the restoration of SANTA SANGRE
  • Deleted Scenes with Director Commentary
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Like A Phoenix – Interview with producer Claudio Argento
  • Holy Blood – Interview with cinematographer Danielle Nannuzzi
  • Mexican Magic – Interview with executive producer Angelo Iacono
  • The Language of Editing – Interview with editor Mauro Bonanni
  • Innocence in Horror – Interview with screenwriter Roberto Leoni
  • Santa Sangre 30th Anniversary Celebration at Morbido Festival, Mexico City
  • Goyo Cárdenas Spree Killer – Documentary on the Real Life Inspiration for SANTA SANGRE
  • Jodorowsky 2003 Interview
  • Jodorowsky on Stage Q & A
  • ECHECK – Adan Jodorowsky Short Film
  • Simon Boswell Interviews Jodorowsky
  • Close Your Eyes – Simon Boswell Music Video

The commentary with Jodorowsky are difficult when he speaks in English as his accent is almost impenetrable, unfortunately for me this spoilt that a little as there was times I had no idea what his replies were. Shame as he’s an intelligent filmmaker with a good sense of the surreal. His other interviews etc where he speaks his native language demonstrate this beautifully.

4 disc edition also available

The interviews are all great insights into the film making process and will be of major interest to cinephiles. The documentary on Goy Cardeneas was very intriguing, terribly shot in a public park by the looks of it, but the content was really interesting.

This is THE definitive version of this film (so far) so grab your copy asap.

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