Fans of surrealist cinema like that of Alejandro Jodorowsky will be overjoyed with this release of Fernando Arrabal's first feature Viva La Muerte (Long Live Death). Quite often upsetting and over the top, it's also an extremely beautiful and fulfilling film (to say the least) at the same time. Part of the artistic Panic Movement described as "an amorphous combination of burlesque, surrealist actions and art" Viva La Muerte is an important piece to the puzzle of world cinema, and I'm ecstatic to have this title on DVD. Cult Epics has really stepped up to the plate on this one giving us a remarkable presentation of a most remarkable film.

Young Fando lives with his mother, and the two share a special relationship. Told that his father was arrested for treason (and eventually executed), Fando discovers evidence in the form of a letter that his mother may indeed have been the one that actually turned him in. Unable to believe that his father is dead, Fando embarks on a journey to try and find out the truth behind the lies he has been told. The story is presented in real time clips as well as inventive flashbacks. Throughout the story, there are also multi colored dream/fantasy sequences (using video footage and gels) which allow the viewer to delve into the psyche of these most unique characters even further.

Outrageous, gritty, shocking, over the top and brilliant… these are all words that can be used to describe Viva La Muerte and still will not do the film any amount of justice whatsoever. The story comes complete with characters that just scream pain and agony, misunderstood and searching for some kind of truth or meaning. Children are really the centerpiece of the film, children that are trapped in a world of corruption, revolt and corporal punishment in schools. You will feel emotionally drained and exhausted after watching this film, it's not an easy experience… not easy, but wholly fulfilling.

While some scenes of onscreen violence are actually quite subdued there are still many others that don't let the viewer off so easy. It's primarily the execution and presentation that makes it all the more disturbing (and at the same time, brilliant). Through these multi colored dream/fantasy sequences the viewer is unexpectedly forced to watch some extreme visual nightmares. As upsetting as the set pieces get, nothing is more upsetting than the disturbing (and undeniably real) onscreen animal violence. From a beetle being sliced in half with a razor blade to a scene in which Fando literally bites the head off a small lizard, only strong stomachs need apply! Getting through the violence is one thing, managing to survive the disturbing dream sequences laced with bizarre comedic undertones is another. One particular sequence that comes to mind involves Fando urinating over the side of a building, only to imagine the whole town drowning in an ocean of his own urine! Not to mention the fact that another scene will cause you to never look at spaghetti and meatballs the same way ever again! As fantastic as it all sounds it's all here for your viewing pleasure.

Viva La Muerte is presented in a sparkling anamorphic widescreen transfer. There are only minimal amounts of print damage present (mostly the occasional spec or film dirt). Grain is almost nonexistent and colors are extremely sharp and vivid. Bear in mind that some of the dream/fantasy sequences were meant to be grainy and scratchy and remain so during this presentation. This disc is really a wonder to behold, Cult Epics has treated Viva La Muerte with the utmost respect and for this we should all be eternally grateful.

Audio is presented in either the original French track or dubbed Spanish. Both mono tracks sound great with nice clear dialogue and absolutely no distortion. Also present are nice readable (and removable) English subtitles.

Extras include an outrageous interview with director Arrabal (split up into 7 chapters, nice touch). This is without a doubt one of the oddest examples of a celebrity interview I have ever seen. In between his off color comments Arrabal picks up a chair and swings it around as well as removing a shoe and sniffing the inside only to remark on how good it smells. Yeah right! I hate to use the term whack job, but yeah, I guess most geniuses are whack jobs. Other extras include a trailer for Arrabal's second film I Will Walk Like a Crazy Horse (due out in a few months on DVD from Cult Epics as well) and a brief still gallery of promotional lobby cards. The entire package is rounded off with a fold out booklet with interesting liner notes.

Fans of the Spanish surrealist movement (or any surrealist movements for that matter!) will be overjoyed by this release. Fans of Jodorowsky etc. Will probably find a lot to like in this moving masterpiece. Cult Epics has done a tremendous job with this title, and I eagerly await the release of I Will Walk Like a Crazy Horse. As for Viva La Muerte, get it.

For more info on Viva La Muerte and other Cult Epics titles, click here!