Vinegar Syndrome Reveals New Partner Label Releases
Posted November 1, 2021 06:31 PM by Webmaster
Vinegar Syndrome has announced and detailed six new partner label releases that will be available for purchase later this month. They are: Radio On (1979), LA Plays Itself: The Fred Halsted Collection (1972-1975), Knocking (2021), Blood-A-Rama Triple Frightmare (1970-1974), Keep an Eye Out (2018), and Sorority Slaughter (1994).
Description: Christopher Petit's debut feature Radio On is the rare road movie from England. Since its 1979 release it's become a cult classic and been recognized as one of one of the "100 Greatest British Films" (Little White Lies). Robert (David Beames), the film's enigmatic protagonist, embarks on a road trip from London to Bristol, to investigate the recent death of his brother. A remarkable collection of art rock, punk and new wave—David Bowie, Devo, Kraftwerk, Robert Fripp, Ian Dury and more—soundtracks Robert's journey. The austere urban and rural landscapes he drives through are beautifully and strikingly rendered in black and white by cinematographer Martin Shäfer (who had been Wim Wenders' camera operator). As Robert drives westward, the radio newscasts he hears and the strangers he meets address the dire sociopolitical and economic state of "Winter of Discontent"-era Britain. Petit deftly melds these stylistic, narrative and documentary elements, resulting in an undeniably eerie and reflective mood that casts a hypnotic spell on the viewer.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL 35MM CAMERA NEGATIVE
Audio commentary with filmmaker and historian Kier-La Janisse
Audio interview with director Chris Petit
Archival video interview with director Chris Petit and producer Keith Griffiths
"Before the Explosion of the Image Bank," a new video interview with director Chris Petit
"Radio On (Remix)," Chris Petit's follow-up digital video essay
Booklet with essays, stills and cast / crew information
Description: Fred Halsted was a legend in his own time. His self-created public persona—that of the leather-clad sadist—instantly made him both feared and revered as one of the first openly gay sex symbols. And his taboo-shattering films broke new ground in the gay erotic cinema for their portrayal of sadomasochism and other forms of polymorphous perversity. These works sent a shockwave throughout the fledgling gay liberation movement and the art establishment alike, leading to their eventual acquisition by the Museum of Modern Art. But despite their significant cultural importance, these films have long been available only in neutered form, if at all. Altered Innocence and Anus Films are proud to present the first-ever uncut disc release of these groundbreaking and fiercely controversial films, beautifully restored by MoMA and with a host of new bonus features, including Halsted's formerly-lost second feature, Truck It.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Audio commentaries on L.A. Plays Itself and Sextool by Evan Purchell, K.J. Shepherd, and Tyler Thomas of Ask Any Buddy
Audio commentary on The Sex Garage by Evan Purchell of Ask Any Buddy
Bonus film: Truck It: 8mm Loops & VHS rip
Video interview with Halsted Plays Himself author William E. Jones
Sanitizing Halsted - a video essay by Whitney Strub
Crossing Over: Sextool - a video essay by Caden Mark Gardner
L.A. Plays Itself original ending
Sextool original opening
Gallery of promotional art and ephemera
Trailers: Sextool, The Fred Halsted Collection, Double Feature Roadshow, & Other Trailers
20-page booklet with essays by William E. Jones and Bradford Nordeen
Description: After suffering a traumatic incident, Molly (Cecilia Milocco) moves into a new apartment to begin her path to recovery, but it's not long after her arrival that a series of persistent knocks and screams begin to wake her up at night. Molly's new life begins to unravel as the screams intensify and no one else in the building believes or is willing to help her.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Introduction by Frida Kempff
Q&A from Sundance
Short Film: Bathing Micky
Short Film: Dear Kid
Theatrical Trailer
Teaser Trailer
12-page booklet with essay by writer/critic Anya Stanley
Reversible cover artwork
English subtitles
REGION-A "LOCKED"
FROM PARTNER LABEL AMERICAN GENRE FILM ARCHIVE (AGFA):
Description: These preservations were made from the only known film elements in existence. Please approach the technical quality of the source materials with empathy.
HELP ME . . . I'M POSSESSED: A free-form nightmare that takes place at a sanitarium in the desert, this surrealist gem includes a psychopathic hunchback, delirious monsters, and a killer early synthesizer score.
NIGHT OF THE STRANGLER: A southern-fried whodunnit with murder, racial tension, and a starring role from The Monkees' Micky Dolenz, this sweat-soaked sleazer feels like a cross between an American giallo and a trashy airport paperback novel.
CARNIVAL OF BLOOD: An ominous, semi-cinéma vérité horror movie that was shot at Coney Island in NYC, CARNIVAL OF BLOOD features an early role from Burt Young (ROCKY), pop-art gore that would make H.G. Lewis proud, and a gloriously seedy atmosphere.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
2K PRESERVATIONS from the only known 35mm prints in existence
CARNIVAL OF BLOOD: Partial commentary with Bleeding Skull's Annie Choi and AGFA + Bleeding Skull's Joseph A. Ziemba
Blood-dripping trailers and drive-in snipes from the AGFA vaults
Watch the full, uninterrupted program in "drive-in" mode
Description: In Keep An Eye Out, a breakneck-paced cop comedy that packs more laughs into its breezy runtime than some filmmakers manage in their entire careers, Belgian funnyman Benoit Poelvoorde (MAN BITES DOG) is Commissaire Buran, a good, bad cop interrogating Fugain (Grégoire Ludig), an average Joe who discovered a dead body outside his apartment building. French absurdist Quentin Dupieux's whip-smart script disregards audience expectations, the fourth wall, and the laws of time and space. You'll never look at an oyster the same way again.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
Audio Commentary with Director Quentin Dupieux
Rehearsal Footage
Make-up FX Test
Theatrical Trailer
Booklet featuring interviews with Quentin Dupieux, Benoit Poelvoorde and Grégoire Ludig
Description: An innocent college prank turns deadly when a bevy of beautiful sorority girls accidentally shoot and kill their voyeuristic, Satan worhipping neighbor Hugo. But is he really dead? See what horrible fates await each member of the sorority when Hugo mysteriously returns from the grave seeking human sacrifices to sustain his eternal life. The innocent Kim quickly becomes the object of Hugo's obsession once he selects her as the ideal bride for his evil, demonic master Radu.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW TRANSFER from the original S-VHS master tapes
Audio commentary track with stars Laura Giglio and Dave Castiglione moderated by Ross Snyder from Saturn's Core
Sorority Girl Murderer! -alternate cut of Sorority Slaughter incorporating new footage shot in 2012 (55 minutes)
Vintage cable access interview featuring co-directors Gary whitson, Sal Longo, and special FX artist Aven Warren
Deleted scene featuring a vintage introduction by actress Tina Krause
Bonus Movie: SORORITY SLAUGHTER 2 (1997) directed by Gary Whitson starring Tina Krause, Debbie D., Laura Giglio, Deana