BALLAD IN BLOOD, the new film from cult director Ruggero Deodato starts hitting the festival scene this month but suprisingly very few people seem to know about the directors return.

 

Previously known as IL GIORNO DOPO, BALLAD IN BLOOD represents Deodato's first feature length in over twenty years, in fact we have to go all the way back to 1993 and THE WASHING MACHINE for his last effort in a moribund national cinematic genre.

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Admittedly like many of his peers Deodato is actually a journeyman director and while he has completed several thrillers including THE WASHING MACHINE, DIAL:HELP and THE PHANTOM OF DEATH he is better known for his cannibalistic output (LAST CANNIBAL WORLD, CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST), his eurocrime (LIVE LIKE A COP, DIE LIKE A MAN), apocalyptic world (THE BARBARIANS) or simply exploitation (HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE PARK).

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What is unmistakable however is the talent shown by the director in all of these cases and thankfully age does not seem to have reduced his talent nor his penchant for violence if the trailer is anything to go by.

The film, based on a 2008 short film by co-writer Angelo Orlando, sees Jacopo and Duke wake up in the apartment of friends Lenka and Elizabeth. Only Elizabeth is dead. Unable to remember what happened the three of them decide to get rid of the body but soon discover that the late Elizabeth had recorded most of the nights shenanigans on her Smartphone.

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Sure it sounds like it could almost be a comedy horror but one watch of the trailer with its sinister tone and heady mix of eroticism, nudity and violence would soon change your mind.

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Managing to capture that bat shit crazy Italian vibe even after all these years BALLAD IN BLOOD looks to have the breakthrough potential and will surely appeal to contemporary English language audiences all while retaining its eurohorror feel. View the trailer below: