Santa Sangre already has cult status as it is directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, a multiply skilled artist who does not consider himself to be an artist. Jodorowsky has not made more than six films over a 40-year span as he has had problems with producers and other people working in film. El Top is a cult classic made by Jodorowsky in the early 70s where he is also the main character. Allen Klein bought the rights to El Topo and was hoping for more films by Jodorowsky that could make him much money. However, the business deal between Klein and Jodorowsky drew bad blood between them and as a result Klein refuses to ever release El Topo and now it is being withheld for public viewing by Allen Klein and his production company. Santa Sangre is therefore one of his more accessible films as it has been applauded by large number of film critics as well as Jodorowsky's own followers.
Santa Sangre (Axel Jodorowsky) is a macabre horror tale surrounding a small circus where Fenix worked as magician when he was a young boy. His dad, Orgo, was the manager and a knife thrower who also had a large appetite for women. Concha, Fenix's mother, was in charge of a small cult that has gone into submission to a made-up saint whose arms were cut off and body raped. When Concha caught Orgo cheating on her she attacked Orgo who in rage cut off Concha's arms followed by him slitting his own throat, and the whole gruesome event was witnessed by Fenix. Fenix was institutionalized as he deeply suffered from the traumatic experience. Years later his armless mother returns and helps him escape and together they become a murderous duo of enormous proportions.
Jodorowsky created a bizarre psychedelic horror story that visually connects the characters in a very sublime manner, which seems to seep into the subliminal consciousness of the audience. The cinematic signs and syntaxes used in the film enhance the connection between the characters instead of the elaborately prolonged dialogues that often connect the characters in many films, which also is a trade mark of regular stage plays. The young miming trapeze girl with a white painted face whom Fenix adored as a child, the tattoo's, and the symbolic knife are some examples of Jodorowsky cinematic genius as he enters the minds of the audience with this terrifying tale. It is interesting to see that Jodorowsky casted his son as the lead character, which he performs elegantly. In the end the audience is to experience a dazzling cinematic event as it brings the audience suspense, horror, desire, and much more to think about as the film unfolds.
