Vinegar Syndrome

[Susan Foreman]

Release date March 27th

Before directing the PENITENTIARY trilogy, Jamaa Fanaka helmed these two offbeat genre films, which helped catapult him to recognition as one of the most important black filmmakers working in 70s independent cinema.

In Fanaka’s debut feature, WELCOME HOME BROTHER CHARLES, a young black man is sent to prison, after being brutalized by a corrupt racist cop. Upon release, he takes deadly revenge against the cops, lawyers, and thugs who got him busted, using a most unusual weapon… As much a parody of exploitation films as it is a proud piece of genre cinema, BROTHER CHARLES combines horror and blaxploitation tropes with stirring social subtext resulting in a drive-in movie unlike any other.

Fanaka’s second feature, EMMA MAE, tells the story of a naive young woman who moves from the Deep South to Watts. Initially finding herself at odds with her surroundings, Emma eventually gains acceptance from a local drug addict and dealer. But when he’s arrested and jailed, she plans a daring bank robbery to bail him out… Featuring a cast of mostly non-professionals and shot entirely on location in Watts, this uniquely subversive action film is an insider’s view of black, working-class LA neighborhoods.

Vinegar Syndrome brings these two landmark films to Blu-ray, newly restored from their original camera negatives.

Extras include:
• Newly scanned and restored in 2k from 35mm original camera negatives
• “The History of the L.A. Rebellion & Jamaa Fanaka” – an appreciation by Jan-Christopher Horak, Director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive
• Post film Q&A with actress Jerri Hayes from a 2017 screening of EMMA MAE at BAMcinématek in Brooklyn, NY
• Trailers, reversible sleeve

Pre-order available from Amazon US - $32.98

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

It also helps that they don't release anything on dvd.

I think they have released a fair bit.

Linky.

Much more than most companies nowadays anyway.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

I think they have released a fair bit.

Linky.

Much more than most companies nowadays anyway.

So which do you recommend then?

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

So which do you recommend then?

I have to admit to not having seen many of them. However, from the ones I have seen Crypt of the Living Dead / House of the Living Dead, Dungeon of Harrow / Death by Invitation, Night of the Strangler, Revenge of the Virgins / Teenage Zombies are probably* worth a look.

*your experiences may vary.

There's plenty of glorious and terrible trash to sift through there though if one was feeling inclined.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

I have to admit to not having seen many of them. However, from the ones I have seen Crypt of the Living Dead / House of the Living Dead, Dungeon of Harrow / Death by Invitation, Night of the Strangler, Revenge of the Virgins / Teenage Zombies are probably* worth a look.

*your experiences may vary.

There's plenty of glorious and terrible trash to sift through there though if one was feeling inclined.

Thank you.

I have Dungeon of Harrow and Death By Invitation. Neither is what you would call any good. I did review them both on here last year.

You've sold me on Crypt of the Living Dead / House of the Living Dead. I'll go for that one next month.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Thank you.

I have Dungeon of Harrow and Death By Invitation. Neither is what you would call any good. I did review them both on here last year.

You've sold me on Crypt of the Living Dead / House of the Living Dead. I'll go for that one next month.

Hopefully you enjoy if you do end up buying, and your experience fares better than Dungeon of Harrow / Death by Invitation!

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

Hopefully you enjoy if you do end up buying, and your experience fares better than Dungeon of Harrow / Death by Invitation!

They were okay. Death by Invitation was the better of the two. The prints weren't exactly great either.

[Rob4]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

It also helps that they don't release anything on dvd.

they do but its usually hardcore - for example:

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Preordered direct.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

And....