Thursday, December 13, 2018

LORD SHANGO 1975 (CODE RED) BLU-RAY

A very unusual and obscure little film.

This is an odd mixture of Christian and voodoo beliefs. The film opens on a strange note. During the baptism of Billie (Avis McCarther) the teenage daughter of Jenny (Marlene Clark), Billie's boy friend, Femi (Bill Overton) interrupts the ceremony. He's upset because he practices voodoo and doesn't want Billie involved with the christian church.

The church elders attempt a forced baptism on Femi and he drowns. Billie is distraught as is Jenny. One night Billie seems possessed by an evil spirit and seduces Jenny's boyfriend Memphis (Wally Taylor).

When Jennie finds that Billie is pregnant all hell breaks loose as Memphis runs away in shame and seeks forgiveness from the church while Jenny renounces her christian values for Voodoo and seeks revenge for her daughter.

Things get worse and worse as a mysterious man named Jabo (Lawrence Cook) follows Memphis around telling him that for every favor there is a sacrifice that must be made.

This film really held my attention and has some very unsettling scenes. Clark looks fantastic as always and turns in a top notch performance, which is no surprise. The Blu-ray presentation looks very good for a film which has been neglected for many years.

The soundtrack is a very bizarre mixture of gospel, voodoo drums and jazz. I have read that some people think this film belongs more in the art house than the grindhouse, but I disagree. Yes, this does have a lot in common with "Ganja And Hess" as far as story telling and some of the script's deeper meaning, but it plays perfectly as a "blaxploitation" film.

If you get a chance you should check this out. It's a small and sadly neglected gem of Black cinema. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

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