Sometimes you can just write down an idea, develop some dialogue, rent a camera, purchase HD recording discs, find a couple of locations, get a pretty good make-up artist, hire several out of work actors and bring them all together for a few day’s work. Take the movie Blood Paradise for instance. This little indie film has it all and makes good use of every bit of help. Most horror fans are open to anything bloody, sexy and a simple storyline and this film has all of that. In fact, the director, who by the way acts in the movie, and his co-writer, who also acts in the movie, happen to fall into the “perfect storm†of movie making. The film’s a nice piece for your library so every time you want a good laugh and forget your troubles of the day, pull out the Blu-ray and just do it.
Famous horror writer Robin Richards (Andréa Winter) has hit a wall with trying to come up with a new book after her last flop. Out of ideas, her manager Lilo Lowwitsch (Martina Novak) suggests she take a trip to Sweden and settle back at an out of the way village. Not wanting to take her advice Lilo purchases a plane ticket and sets up a week at a farm in the country of Angermanland for her. When she arrives at the pick-up point Hans Bubi (Christer Cavallius), a fan of her books who’s fixated with Robin, drives her to the farm.
There she meets the farmer Rolf Palsson (Rolf Brunnstrom) who assists her with getting settled. It’s a good beginning with each of the main characters, who are respectively a little kooky, being developed quickly. Director Patrick von Barkenberg, who also plays Robin’s live in boy toy Ted, does a terrific job with suspenseful music and surprises. The awesome close-up cinematography makes everything ominous and fits perfectly into the strange movie. He makes the horror flick a mystery by setting up probably killers like the obsessive Hans as a creepy guy who will do anything to get Robin’s attention, his wife Elsa (Ellinor Berglund) who’s extremely jealous, a woodsman who sees her swimming nude, and even farmer Rolf who seems a little off his rocker.
I must complement the acting of Andrea Winter who does a great job of holding a straight face throughout the dark comedy. She’s freaking awesome. As Robin Richards she takes a lot of abuse, provides the eye candy for the male audience and pushes the envelope when it comes to fighting back, getting slathered with food, mud and doused in sinister looking blood. She’s very talented in an artistic way and shines in her first ever feature film. By the way most budding writer/producers may want to take a tip; Andrea Winter also was the set designer, shot some of the film, composed music, a costume supervisor, helped edit the film, and chose the locations. Whew! Take it from me that she certainly saved the filmmakers a lot of money.
The whole cast, even though not seasoned actors, do a good job with their roles. Christer Cavallius is comical while being a weirdo. His part is nicely written and does make the film nicely over the top. As the farmer Rolf Brunnstrom plays it straight faced even though you must think he’s laughing on the inside all the while. As the very jealous wife Elsa, actress Ellinor Berglund puts on a good show as a lunatic that can’t stand the sight of Robin.
BONUS EXTRAS:
“Deleted Scenes†‘Blood Sex Dream, ‘Fly Scene’, ‘Latex Dreams’, ‘Tractor and Sheep’ Be careful when you are watching the deleted clips from the film as one is a graphic sex scene.
“Dreamer Music Video†performed by Baby Yaga
“You and Me Music Video†performed by Baby Yaga
Blood Paradise has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains sensuality, nudity, bloody violence, and language. Be careful when immature children may be present. I recommend the film for horror comedy fans. The film probably plays best to a group of guys. The movie is in English mainly with some Swedish. Now available on Blu-ray/DVD and VOD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A nicely written and performed comedy/horror flick. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Andréa Winter, Christer Cavallius, Patrick von Barkenberg, Ellinor Berglund, Martina Novak, Rolf Brunnstrom
Director and co-writer: Â Patrick von Barkenberg
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains sensuality, nudity, bloody violence, language
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Mystery
Running Time: 1 hr. 24 min.
Video Release Date: July 16, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: March 6, 2019
Language: English and some Swedish
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
Video: Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English Subtitles
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: ARTSPloitation Films
Released on: Blu-ray/DVD and VOD