4/5 stars
A hybrid of Buñuel’s absurd humour and Lynch’s nightmarish surrealism, Alejandro Jodorowsky’s 1989 genre defying extravagance exploits characters unseen in conventional film fare; these eclectic individuals make up the dark and deranged netherworld of Santa Sangre.
Set in Mexico against the backdrop of an extended family of circus performers and the grotesque, Fenix (Axel Jodorowsky) – the films protagonist – resides in a psychiatric hospital. Shown in flashback we understand how the young man is profoundly traumatised as an adolescent by witnessing the result of his knife throwing father Orgo (Guy Stockwell) cutting his mother’s arms off in a fit of passionate revenge before dramatically ending his own life.
In flash-forward Fenix is rejoined with his mother, Concha (Blanca Guerra), working as a double act on stage, playing her arms whilst standing behind her. However offstage it is apparent that she has developed the mental capacity to forcibly control his arms, to perform tasks ranging from the banal to the more insidious, both appear equally as disturbing. The film remains confident in it’s phantasmagorical disposition, though doesn’t take itself too seriously; the elephant funeral scene in particular clearly demonstrates an unparalleled sense of humour, though numerous scenes exhibit such unique and elated madness that are regularly entertaining.
Although at times overwhelmingly brassy and chaotic, the score’s bongos and synthesizers create a heightened vividness; whilst the vibrant layered narrative is spontaneous in direction and therefore especially welcomed.
As a Hyde Park Picture House Creatures of the Night Halloween Special Santa Sangre perfectly fits the bill encompassing excessive violence and intoxicating disorientation; spectators gaze in astonishment in a similar manner as if they would one of the circus acts featured in the film. Horror fans dissatisfied with contemporary, namely monotonous teenager in peril slashers, should definitely seek out the film for its exotic and uncompromising kick.
Tomas Badger