Nekromantik

Now here's one I'm surprised to see out on DVD. Jorg Buttgereit's Nekromantik is the controversial low budget tale of necrophilia - forbidden love between a man, a woman and a corpse.

Set in a surreal Berlin, Rob (Daktari Lorenz) likes to collect body parts stolen from his workplace (a crime scene clean-up agency) which he takes home to display and share with his girlfriend Betty (Beatrice M). One day Rob strikes lucky and manages to smuggle home a full bloated corpse much to the delight of Betty, and they all snuggle up in bed for some sweaty (and slightly sticky) three way passion. Things don't quite go to plan though and soon Rob's bubble is burst.

Now let me get things straight for you here - Nekromantik is not suited to every horror fans taste. If you are a fan of mainstream horror then avoid this one like the plague - you'll hate it !! (Already some of the US Horror sites have slated it).

What you must remember this is a low budget german movie very much in the art-house nature - but if you can handle that then welcome into your homes another genre classic !!

I've seen Nekromantik several times over the years since its release and even today I still find myself looking away flinching from the screen at some of the more graphic and disturbing moments. And no, not the necrophilia scenes but the gruesome animal footage, that you are here pre-warned about before newcomers go viewing this low key classic.

Barrel Entertainment should be applauded for this release - brilliant though that companies like Anchor Bay are, I just don't see them having the balls to release a film as independant and objectional as this.

The disc itself is a real beauty. Mastered from the original negatives, though still a bit murky at times it's never looked better, with nicely done new (removable) english subtitles. The disc is also crammed to the guddles with loads of excellent extras that gives the big boys a run for their money.

There's a fun audio commentary with director/writer Jorg Buttgereit and co-writer Franz Rodenkirchen, a couple of great featurettes on the making of the film, trailers for all Buttgereit's films, a massive collection of stills and an excellent short film 'Horror Heaven' (that will have any genre fan laughing - and it's a great light-hearted relief after viewing the main film itself).

An excellent and worthwhile release. Not only a Buttgereit classic but a great debut from Barrel Entertainment also.