Where The Dead Go To Die — Where The Dead Go To Die(DVD)

When you think of animation- what comes to mind?-maybe the many films of the Disney studios, or possibly the more edgy & cult out-put of Japanese anime. I’m sure when you think of animation you don’t think of shock, horror or revulsion. Sure you had adult cartoons like Fritz The Cat, and of course the more extreme horror anmie of the likes of the Urotsukidoji series or Wicked City- but at the end of the day these lightly shock, and in reality they where just  cartoons, which as a art form does seem somewhat removed from both shock & any feeling of reality.  Where The Dead Go To Die, is a feature length animated film, that bloody rips-up,  brutally rapes, then spews–up what you expect from the form, and creates one of the most unrelenting, disturbing, and wholly depraved things you’ll ever have seen.

Where The Dead Go to Die is the  first full-length animated feature by Jimmy ScreamerClauz- who released last year’s psychedelic & disturbing Where Black Birds Fly. This first film appeared back in 2012 in the form of a DVD( and later a Blu Ray); on Unearthed films- who have released the likes of the American Guinea pig films, the Vomit Gory Trilogy, and many other extreme films.

So what is so, so disturbing & unnerving about the film, I hear your ask? Well, firstly we have the films situations/ themes. We have a womb ripping parricide, bestiality, genital mutilation, a child-porn ring, suicides, torture, & bizarre disfigurements….to name a few. Next we have the animation it’s self, which is computer done- over the films length Jimmy was very much learning his way with his  craft- so it starts off fairly rudimentary & basic, looking a bit like 90’s PC animation - but oddly this is really a plus, as it lulls you even more into a sense of security & safe-ness, and when the nastiness & depravity kicks in, it seems even more unsettling, as if it’s truly come from a very unhinged mind. But as the film progresses Jimmy’s ability does improve, and this works very effectively latter on for the story. Lastly, at seemingly any point, the  whole thing suddenly  drives in deranged  psychedelic  imagery that’s violent, dark, and perversely surreal.

The films structure is anthology, and finds three separate stories all linked together by a glow red eyed & talking dog (voice by Jimmy to great unsettling effect). The first story(Tainted Milk) is about a kid slaughtering his parents, in a most deranged manner. The second(Liquid Memories) about a man who steals  memories from people as they are dieing, and lastly The Mask That the Monsters Wear- which tells of a little girl involved in a child porn ring, and her fancily disfigured little boyfriend.

From pretty much the very beginning, to the very end of Where The Dead Go To Die Jimmy pushes the levels of both taste and sanity to there very limits. Sure at times the plot & structure gets a little muddled & confused- but you’ll certainly never feel bored or disinterested, as Jimmy just keeps bombarding you with more & more disturbing, deranged, and psychotically psychedelic stuff.

On the DVD you get a few extras- taking in  deleted footage montage, a short with commentary, & trailers. But best of all is a great  full length commentary track from Jimmy- this is both informative & amusing, it does lessen the impact of the film a bit I guess, when you get his take on the film- but it’s certainly worth checking out.

In finishing I’d say if you enjoy been shocked, puzzled & disturbed Where the Dead Go to Die is most certainly for you. Sure it’s a little rough around the edges, and at times it becomes a little  too chaotic & muddled- but as an opening full length feature it’s impressive in both its inventive depravity & lo-fi intensity.