DVD Review: HI8: RESURRECTIO (2016)

HI8:  RESURRECTIO
Written & Directed by: Stefan Sierecki
Distributed by:  Black Lava Entertainment

 If you have never heard of Black Lava Entertainment, you are missing out on some of the weirdest underground horror films available today.   The latest one I have seen was called Hi8:  RESURRECTIO from filmmaker Stephan Sierecki.  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of the Black Lave Entertainment website:

  In "Hi8“ we follow Steven, a film student who intends to create the goriest horror movie of all time, his graduation film. The only problem is the lack of money. Even his lecturer does not support his plans. He claims the horror movie to be a inacceptable medium and does not honor any artist. Steven is aware that it is difficult to distribute genre movies in Germany but hope dies last. A mysterious website discovered by one of his friends raises hope. A single line framed by flames appears on the screen: 'God's messengers fall into hellfire, the angels' Stephen is not bothered by this phrase for he is more interested in the text's content. His eyes are fixed on the words 'filming', 'money', 'prompt cash'. Clicking the 'Send'-button unleashes an experience which affects his mind, flesh and bones. He will literally witness hell on earth.

 I had never heard of this film going into it, so I had no clue what to expect.   To me this film reminded me of a higher budget version of the AUGUST UNDERGROUND series, but a lower budget version of the HOSTEL films.  They are all in the same vein, though.  It basically follows Steven as he is kidnapped by the new "producers" of his horror film and is forced into a world of horror that Steven could have probably never imagined.  He is forced to torture and kill, all in the name of cinema! 

 The film is very well made, with what looks to be all practical effects, something I am always happy to see in horror films.   The acting is pretty good overall,  especially from the female victim that is caged and put through hell.   At times I actually wondered if they told her what all they would be doing and if some of the screaming and fear was actually real!  

 I'm not a huge fan of the torture films, but if you are into those films, you should definitely check this one out.   Hi8:  RESURRECTIO is available now on DVD and contains the following special features:

*  Teaser #1
*  Teaser #2
*  Trailer
*  English Subtitles
*  Bonus Movies:
-Fütterung der Raubtiere
-Herzstück
-Interimere
-Raum der Ausschweifung
-Tote reden nicht
-Vergeltung
-Weihnachten
*  Bonus CD with the complete Soundtrack (~80min Music)


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

DVD Review: NECROPHILE PASSION

NECROPHILE PASSION
Written & Directed by  Tom Heidenberg
Distributed by Black Lava Entertainment

  I recently watched another very shocking movie, this one dealing with one of the most taboo subjects there is, Necrophilia.  The film is called NECROPHILE PASSION and it is as gross and disturbing as you think it would be.  This is not a topic we see much in horror films, in fact, the only other films I can think on with this topic as their main story line are the German NEKROMANTIK films from the late 80's /early 90s.  Most studios and filmmakers these days would dare not make a new movie about this subject, but Black Lava Entertainment is apparently not your normal film company!  This is a company known for distributing films that are ground breaking and barrier breaking, with no subject too sensitive to cover.   

  Here is the plot of NECROPHILE PASSION from the Black Lava Entertainment website:

   After having been left by his girlfriend, who treated him like shit, a young man finds a female body in a nearby woods. His conscience tells him to call the police, but a sinister urge commands him to take the corpse home with him. After having done so, his dark desires go rampant and he molests the corpse various times. His life is in shambles and only the love to the woman's dead body gives him the strength to continue. However, he has not yet tied up all the loose ends with his girlfriend and it is time for him to finally get his revenge. Who will triumph in this diabolical love triangle? Man, woman or corpse?

  I remember being totally disgusted years ago when I watched the NEKROMANTIK dvds.  This film does a remarkable job of shocking the viewer just as the NEKROMANTIK movies did years ago.  It's hard to say this film is good, as the subject matter is so hard to watch and deal with.  The  movie is very well made, though, almost to an artistic degree at various points in the film.   The acting is great and with a 52 minute run time, the movie is paced very well and doesn't drag on like some films do when they feel they have to stretch the movie out to 80 or 90 minutes.

  This film was obviously made to shock and disturb people, and with that being the case, the filmmakers succeeded on every level.   If you are a fan of shock cinema, this is one you will want to check out for sure!

  Black Lava Entertainment is an Austrian based DVD company,  but this DVD played fine in my player, so their DVD's must be region free. 

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer  (**WARNING** NSFW trailer)
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD  (click on the SHOP tab)