Apocalypse After Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Apocalypse After Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 18, 2022

Director Bertrand Mandico made an impression on certain audiences with 2017’s “The Wild Boys.” It was his first feature-length production, and he poured everything into its creation, using experience gained after spending a large portion of his life making short films. “The Wild Boys” was weird and incredibly specific in its moviemaking goals. Dramatic value is debatable, but the endeavor was a striking showcase of craftsmanship, earning him a loyal fanbase interested in his helming future. Altered Innocence elects to go into Mandico’s past with their release of “Apocalypse After,” which offers the 2018 short and ten others to provide an understanding of creative development and artistic vision, identifying Mandico’s growing obsessions as well. It’s a high dive into challenging, arresting cinema, with the shorts detailing Mandico’s fetishes and pursuit of enigmatic material.

Included on the release are “The Blue Cavalier” (11:10), “He Said He Is Dead” (12:46), “The Life and Death of Henry Darger” (5:43), “Boro in the Box” (41:57), “Living Still Life” (16:20), “Prehistoric Cabernet” (9:57), “Salammbo” (7:33), “Our Lady of Hormones” (32:40), “Any Virgins Left Alive” (8:57), “Depressive Cop” (12:37), and “Apocalypse After” (38:12).

Apocalypse After Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Apocalypse After" preserves the artful elements of the short. Color is striking, handling heavy blues and reds, and distinct silver costuming is present. Hues are vivid throughout the viewing experience, and skin tones are natural. Detail offers a textured examination of fantasy additions and clothing, and skin particulars are distinct. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. The rest of the shorts vary in age and intensity, with some black and white offerings and equally hallucinogenic shorts in line with "Apocalypse After."

Apocalypse After Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix on "Apocalypse After" mostly remains a frontal affair, handling dialogue exchanges and breathy narration. Scoring retain a crisp synth presence with a slight low-end presence. Atmospherics are engaging, along with pronounced sound effects.

Apocalypse After Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (14 pages) contains "The Collage Work of Bertrand Mandico."

Apocalypse After Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mandico creates challenge work, and he does it with extreme filmmaking care and curiosity, after distinct visual and aural experiences that often make sense only to him. "Apocalypse After" is entirely bizarre and that's the idea, taking viewers on ride of bodily fluids, environments, lighting, makeup, and the acting efforts of Elina Lowensohn (who appears in almost everything he makes), trying to reach a specific area of confusion that delights the helmer. The shorts demand a full surrender to the dreamlike viewing experiences, as traditional dramatic movements aren't welcome here, presenting those with a specific curiosity about Mandico's work a chance to grasp his foundation as a filmmaker and his unwavering love of the impenetrable.