“Santa Sangre,” which translates to “Holy Blood,” is a surreal fantasy centered around a circus, created by cult filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky—the same mind behind “El Topo” (1970) and "The Holy Mountain" (1973). The story follows a man who winds up in an institution after a disturbing event he experienced as a child while with a traveling circus in Mexico. Upon escaping, he locates his injured mother and becomes affected by her behavior. Guy Stockwell portrays the significantly overweight owner of the circus. Axel Jodorowsky takes on the role of Fenix, the main character. I’m drawn to films that focus on circuses or carnivals, and this one is effective in its oddness for about half the running time. The visuals are bright, and there's a considerable amount of symbolism—references to Christ, a large snake, among other things. Several women appear throughout the film presented in an imaginative and suggestive style (Thelma Tixou as the tattooed performer, Blanca Guerra as the graceful tightrope walker, Sabrina Dennison as the naive Alma, and Gloriella as Rubi), and I imagine this is why many men consider it a standout work. However, the latter portion of the movie really drags. Fenix doesn’t evolve into an engaging character, and the plot lacks excitement—unless you find his actions to assist his mother captivating. It's still worthwhile if you enjoy unusual cult films that attempt something unique, but be ready for a slow-moving final hour. The film has a length of 2 hours and 3 minutes and was filmed in Mexico City. GRADE: C

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