Cast and Crew:  Claudio Argento (Co-Writer and Producer); Rene Cardona Jr. (Producer)

What It’s About: Fenix (Axel Jodorowsky), who saw his father, knife thrower father Orgo (Guy Stockwell), cut off his mother Concha’s (Blanca Guerra) arms and then commit suicide, escapes from an asylum and rejoins his mother to act as her “arms” in a grisly campaign of revenge.

Why Watch it Today?: Today is Mexico’s Flag Day, which marks Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1821.  Although the writer and director of today’s film, Alejandro Jodorowsky, was born in Chile, he made his films in Mexico, turning out surreal, shock filled masterpieces.  Santa Sangre is not as trippy as his Midnight Movie favorites El Topo and The Holy Mountain, but is less heavy and while remaining wonderfully (and occasionally terrifyingly and disgustingly) strange.

Where to Get It:  iTunes, Netflix and Vudu, or your local library.