This cult classic was first shown at the 1990 Dublin Film Festival. Here’s what Michael Dwyer had to say:
“Alejandro Jodorowsky makes a triumphant return to cinema with the exotic Santa Sangre, a film inspired by the true story of a psychotic circus performer. Fenix is a magician and mime artiste at the Mexican Circo del Gringo run by his father, a womanising alcoholic. Fenix’s mother is a religious fanatic who discovers her husband in the arms of the circus’ tattooed lady. She is incensed and pours acid on their genitalia, but loses both her arms in the ensuing struggle.
After twelve years in a mental asylum, Fenix escapes and is reunited with his mother with whom he develops a bizarre cabaret act in which his hands act as hers. Hopelessly dominated by a mother who now has an intense hatred of other women, the passive son also uses his hands to carry out her instructions to murder every woman he meets.
This extraordinary story is told in a bravura series of flamboyant and surreal images. Jodorowsky remains wholly in control of the provocative material, confidently exerting his vivid imagination and bold cinematic flair as the movie builds in power. It is a truly stunning experience.”
