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Released by: Kino/Redemption
Released on: November 27, 2012.
Director: Nigel Wingrove
Cast: Louise Downie
Year: 1989
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The Movies:
Nigel Wingrove's short art film "Visions Of Ecstasy" from 1989 has the fascinating distinction of being the only film ever banned by the notorious BBFC for blasphemy. In 2008 however the UK struck their blasphemy laws from the books outright and overnight the film became completely legal - and passed uncut in it's native country with an "18" certificate. Kino Lorber's new DVD is also the USA debut of this title on a disc with the full length SACRED FLESH from 2000.
"Visions" is about nun St. Teresa of Avila (Louise Downie), who has visions of being met by Jesus Christ. These take on a highly sexual nature and the film is a series of dream-like sex acts between the nun and Jesus (Dan Fox) who is on the cross. Before this though, we are treated to a bit of lesbianism with another nun and the smearing of blood on breasts. Anyone with even a passing familiarity with the "nunsploitation" genre will recognize these as boilerplate elements of this type of film.
The effectiveness of a film like this is bound to the viewer's reaction to sexualized religious imagery (an atheist will have a far different reaction than a devout Catholic most likely) and the esthetic and professional quality of the film itself. "Visions" has some of the panache of Kenneth Anger's shorts such as "Lucifer Rising" and is quite well shot. Downey is a beautiful woman and their is some undeniable erotic tension in this kind of risque imagery, but for the non-religious viewer the kick is probably limited. As confrontational art however, the film certainly has a worthwhile aim.
The bulk of the disc however is taken up with Wingrove's 2000 feature SACRED FLESH. This is a straight up nunsploitation piece about troubled Mother Superior Sister Elizabeth (Sally Tremaine) who is being investigated by another nun - Sister Mary (Moyna Cope), for possible demonic possession. Sister Elizabeth has come to the convent to get to the bottom of the odd behavior that has been reported. The film doesn't have much in the way of a plot - something this genre isn't really known for anyway, but it does have the classic elements. Which means we are getting an awful lot of softcore lesbianism, some violence, and a fair dash of lashings and self-inflicted bodily abuse. There is also the whole subtext relating to the nature of chastity and how the nuns can properly serve God while being so conflicted.
As far as this kind of film goes, SACRED FLESH is decent. It benefits from being well shot and having solid production values for it's limited budget. It also is properly paced - because these kinds of movies rely on their shocking set pieces - long boring stretches can kill the film. Wingrove may have more on his mind than just base exploitation - but he also knows his audience and how to serve them.
AUDIO/VIDEO/EXTRAS:
VISIONS OF ECSTASY has a good fullframe transfer. Color is strong and the image is free from any obvious flaws, though keep in mind the budget on this was pretty low. Sound is a basic Dolby Digital 2.0 track also free from any problems. SACRED FLESH is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen in an unremarkable but adequate transfer. This was a shot on video production so the quality was never going to blow anyone away.
In addition to the headlining short and the full-length FLESH, the disc contains 2 short films AXEL and FAUSTINE and an interesting documentary excerpt from a film called HAIL MARY! that features Wingrove talking about the genre as well as clips from other films related to this corner of the exploitation market. Wingrove also sits for an informative 1990 interview that gives some fascinating background on the making of VISIONS and his approach to film making and attitude towards censorship - particularly in the UK. The disc also has has VISIONS OF ECSTASY outtakes and a an essay on the disc in ROM content form for those whose computers can access it.
THE FINAL WORD:
Kino has provided a very nice package for the films of Nigel Wingrove here with good transfers and solid supplemental material with historical significance. This is an excellent DVD package and recommended for fans of Wingrove and/or the infamous nunsploitation genre.
