Blu-ray Review: DARK SANCTUARY: THE STORY OF THE CHURCH (2024)

 

DARK SANCTUARY:  THE STORY OF THE CHURCH

Directed by:  Timothy Stevens

Distributed by:  Cleopatra Films / MVD Entertainment

DARK SANCTUARY is a documentary film about a famous night club in Dallas, TX.  I'm going to be honest here....I had never heard of this film or of the night club that is the subject matter of this film.  When this showed up in my mailbox to review, I was a little disappointed.   A documentary about a night club did not sound like an entertaining 86 minutes of my life.   Well, I am not to proud to admit how wrong I was.   This just goes to show you that you can't judge a book  (or a movie), by it's cover.   What sounded like a dull documentary to me ended up being one of the most interesting documentaries I have watched in quite a while.   

Here is a description of the film from the MVD website:

DARK SANCTUARY is a feature-length documentary about the historic Dallas, TX Goth club - The Church.  Dark Sanctuary exposes the incredible, shocking history of one of the longest running goth clubs in the U.S. as well as the world-renowned artists who performed there.


Through interviews with world-famous music artists, local bands, and patrons, the film tells the story of the community that formed over nearly three decades of the legendary club's existence. The motto of The Church became 'Enter Without Prejudice' meaning no matter who you are, how you look, how you dress, your sexuality, your gender identity, the color of your skin, your body type, all are welcome and embraced at The Church.


Follow DJ in residence, Joe Virus, on his journey from aspiring musician to headlining the main stage for over 20 years and through the events of the global epidemic which lead to a neighborhood buyout from a multimillion-dollar real estate company, threatening to claim the beloved building at 2424 Swiss Avenue.


Just what will happen when the deep south's premiere goth club of nearly thirty years stands on the brink of being lost forever?

  The Church was what a club called The Lizard Lounge changed into on Sunday nights.  The location was at 2424 Swiss Ave in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas, TX.   The Church opened in 1994 and was the place for artists and "misfits" to gather with like minded people and enjoy some Electronic Dance Music and what would later become known as the "Goth" community.   The film is mainly told through The Church's resident DJ, DJ VIRUS  (Joe Gonzales), and it was very touching to see how much this club meant to him.   In fact, almost everyone that is interviewed about The Church gets choked up at some point while reminiscing about the club.  It just shows you how much of an effect this place had on it's regulars.  The film goes over the clubs entire timeline, from it's creation and all the special events that took place over the years and live music performances, to it's closing and eventual reopening 

  While the original location closed in 2020, The Church lives on today at a new club located at 4322 Elm St in Dallas.  It looks as though it never has recreated the true look and feel of the original location, though, in my opinion.   For those that went to The Church religiously,  this is a wonderful keepsake and memento of a place that meant so much to so many people, and is a must have film.  Even if you are like me, having never heard of The Church, this is still a wonderful film and honestly makes me a bit jealous that I never had a place like this to hang out.  The people here seem so sincere and accepting of everyone.   While some people might look at The Churchgoers as "weirdos" or "outcasts", I think they were just the opposite.  They are the people we should all strive to be like.  Loving people that let others be themselves and accepting of all lifestyles with no judgement or prejudice of any kind.  The Church truly seemed like an amazing place. 

  DARK SANCTUARY is available now on DVD and BD from MVD Entertainment and contains the following Special Features:

*  Trailer

*  Uncut Celebrity Interviews

* 2 music videos from the band Solemn Assembly 

CLICK HERE to watch the trialer

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

CLICK HERE to purchase the BLU-RAY