‘Writing is a dying art’
Blood Paradise is a 2018 Swedish comedy horror film directed by Patrick von Barkenburg from a screenplay co-written with Andréa Winter (aka musical artist Baby Yaga), both of whom also star, alongside Christer Cavallius.
Plot:
Reeling after her latest novel flops, best-selling crime writer Robin Richards (Andréa Winter) is sent by her publisher to the Swedish countryside to regain inspiration. There alone, she comes across an assortment of peculiar characters, including her driver and most obsessive fan, his explosively jealous wife, and the progressively more unhinged man who owns the farm that’s hosting her.
Totally out of place in her new surroundings – for one, Robin is always dressed for glamorous, big-city life – she discovers just how dangerous these oddballs may be…
Reviews:
“Explosively erotic, director Patrick von Barkenberg’s feature debut is an exciting and claustrophobic Gothic fun ride.” Entertainment for a Living
“Somewhere around the half-hour mark, von Barkenberg lost sight of the snarky attitude but kept ploughing ahead anyway. The results are highly forgettable, which is a cardinal sin for a film like this. Maybe someone else could write a film that better showcased Winter and her Richards character.” J.B. Spins
“It’s not an intense film, but a directorial debut that pays homage to the mystery films of old, the gorgeous form of the female figure (here, surprisingly, the producer), and a genre of film not as popular as it once was. I had a lot of fun with this one and was thoroughly entertained from start to end.” Nevermore Horror
“In true fashion, you will notice many of the actors doubling as tech people even performing and writing music. With all the goes on around her Robin Richards remains a force as it really is her story and journey as told in an image with blood patterns on her face.” Nitrate Visions
“Though thoroughly modern, it has tinges of 1960s and 1970s Eurohorror, complete with eroticism and plenty of scenes with Winter in the buff […] The horror scenes with Farmer Rolf give off more of a 1980s slasher vibe. It’s an interesting mix that works more often than not.” The Scariest Things
“The trailer gave off a darker, Lynchian vibe, but in all honesty, this movie is mostly smiles and winks. Plenty of intentionally uncomfortable moments structured with intentionally stilted dialog and off-beat juvenile humor. It’s barely a horror film.” Thirteenth Floor
Release:
Blood Paradise was released on DVD, Blu-ray (with extras) and on a selection of VOD platforms by Artsploitation on July 16, 2019.
Cast and characters:
- Andréa Winter … Robin Richards
- Patrick von Barkenberg … Teddy
- Christer Cavallius … Hans Bubi
- Martina Novak … Lilo Loewitsch
- Bauer … the Hunting Dog
- Rolf Brunnström … Farmer Rolf
- Ellinor Berglund … Elsa
- Lars Brunnström … the Lumberjack
- Ingrid Hedström … the Sister
- Greta … the Chicken
- Frankie Batista … Lorenzo
- Simon … the Tortoise
- Jakob Brunnström Hedström … the Hunter
- Linda Dahlin … The Wife
Technical details:
84 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35: 1
