Director – Ivan Zulueta (Aquarium, Frank Stein)
Starring – Eusebio Poncela (Their Golden Years, Law of Desire), Cecilia Roth (The Intruder, Killer Women), and Will More (Berlin Blues, Dark Habits)
Release Date – 1979
Rating – 2/5
Blu Release – 3.5/5
Altered Innocence is one of the many companies that I had no idea existed until Vinegar Syndrome announced them as part of their partner label program. Since discovering this label I’ve seen some great releases and not so great releases. When I received the press release for their release of 1979’s Arrebato I was very intrigued.
I was very interested in the horror fantasy aspect that was heavily steeped in drug usage. I was going to order a copy but when the PR firm handling the press release said they would be willing to send over a review copy I quickly said yes!
**Spoiler Alert** A low budget horror filmmaker gets in touch with an eccentric who is trying to film his consciousness during drug abuse. The eccentric get obsessed with the film of the low budget horror filmmaker and research what happened with the author which disappeared. The research will lead the characters to fall deeper in drugs addiction. Finally it is discovered that the low budget filmmaker was absorbed by his camera and the eccentric prepared himself to be absorbed too. **Spoiler Alert**
Arrebato had a very interesting premise but I found myself tuning out more than I was paying attention. The film drags on for so long and a lot of the dialogue heavy scenes really does try the viewer’s patience. I know a few friends that enjoyed this one, however, I know just as many more that did not.
The acting in this one is very well done. It’s natural and their on screen chemistry is great. The characters are not really cliched and they are more memorable than the film they are in. With that being said, I really wish they carried the film in a more linear direction for the viewer to better enjoy.
The story for this one really pulled me in but the way it was filmed made it extremely dull and difficult to finish. At least, for me it did. I know other genre fans felt the same way as I did but some people actually dug the slow build up and extremely drawn out scenes with heavy dialogue. Honestly, the pacing is all wrong to be and a lot of the film could be cut out. At almost two hours long a good bit could be trimmed.
Finally, the horror aspect comes from the story and the tension that build in several scenes but don’t expect a bloody treat that many of you gorehounds are looking for. Overall, Arrebato was not for me. I’m sure it’s because I lack the intelligence to fully comprehend it but it’s bored me to tears. It was such a difficult film to finish even though I really did enjoy the cast. Collectors will want to snag this one but someone looking for something different to watch may want to check out another one of Altered Innocence releases.
Special Features:
Region Free Blu-ray
Commentary Track w/ Mike White of The Projection Booth
Documentary: Ivan Z by Andrés Duque (51 min.)
Theatrical Trailer
Other Trailers
Reversible Art
English subtitles
