As the Spanish Civil War draws to a close, Fando, a young boy, is tormented by violently conflicting feelings towards his mother, who he suspects may have had a role in his father's capture by fascists; feelings that manifest themselves as a nightmare onslaught of terrifying and bizarre imagery. Based on Fernando Arrabal's own brutal experiences during the Civil War, Viva la muerte is a shockingly provocative work of surrealist cinema from the artist and filmmaker, who co-founded the 'Panic Movement' collective alongside Alejandro Jodorowsky. Acclaimed on release by critics and scorned by censors, Viva la Muerte would later achieve notoriety as a midnight movie, and was a favourite film of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
- Region Code:
- Region A,B,C
- Duration:
- 89 minutes
- Original Language:
- French
- Extras:
- Language(s): French, Subtitles: English, Interactive Menu, Booklet, Bonus Footage, Documentaries: 'Sur les traces de Baal' (1970); 'VIDARRABAL' (2011), Interviews: David Archibald (scholar/Spanish cinema expert), Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork; Audio discussion from the Project Booth podcast featuring Mike White, Heather Drain and Jess Byard, Trailers