Vinegar Syndrome has revealed eleven upcoming partner label releases. They are: The Black Crystal (1991), Damselvis: Daughter of Helvis (1994), Death Magic (1992), Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr. (2021), Dressed in Blue (1983), Pirates (2021), The Rainbow Boys (1973), Satan’s Menagerie (2001), Solomon King (1974), Sylvio (2017), and Uncle Kent 2 (2015).
FROM PARTNER LABEL AMERICAN GENRE FILM ARCHIVE (AGFA):
Description: Inspired by the Matamoras cult murders and shot entirely on Super 8, THE BLACK CRYSTAL is an action-horror hallucination that was filmed in the backwoods of Tucson, Arizona. The story follows Will (writer-director-producer-editor-composer Mike Conway) as he and his yellow Trans Am encounter a gang of Satanic cultists led by the evil Daniel. Surviving the ordeal, Will meets up with Daphne, a goth witch with a “power channeler” called the Black Crystal that might hold the key to the underworld. Awash with kickboxing dads, dollar store bloodshed, and a killer synthesizer score, this is an imaginative and ambitious homemade funbomb that has been missing in action since its original VHS release. AGFA presents THE BLACK CRYSTAL on disc for the first time ever, featuring a new preservation from the original 3/4″ tape master and enough extras to fill Daniel’s Satanic shed.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- Preserved from the original 1″ tape master
- Commentary with director Mike Conway
- Interviews with Mike Conway and actor Mark Lang
- Original home video trailer
- Shorts by Mike Conway
- Bonus movie: THE BLACK CRYSTAL (original VHS version)
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-FREE
FROM PARTNER LABEL SATURN’S CORE AUDIO & VIDEO:
Description: While delivering an apocalyptic message to his sect, the unearthly Black Jesus orders his leather-clad, biker converts to destroy the pagan mistress Damselvis before she can raise her father, the fabled rock and roll deity Helvis, from the dead. When a sheltered, country schoolgirl named Isla M. (Sherry Lynn Garris) is nearly butchered by Black Jesus’ murderous disciple Candy (Ghetty Chasun), she is miraculously reborn as the fringe-adorned, Harley riding Damselvis; who promptly embarks on a pilgrimage to Memphis, spreading the gospel along the way by disseminating Helvis records to a burgeoning and ardent congregation of fans. Once Helvis is resurrected from his pyramid tomb, he must confront the monstrous Woofman in a final battle to the death to determine the religious rites for the new millennia!
The SOV feature film debut from the visionary, Memphis based, punkabilly provocateur John Michael McCarthy (Teenage Tupelo, Sore Losers). Damselvis, Daughter of Helvis heralded the arrival of a singular and eccentric new voice in the lawless landscape of ’90s underground film. Featuring performances by Sherry Lynn Garris (Gore Whore) & the enigmatic ’90s scream queen Ghetty Chasun (Red Lips), special FX makeup by Robert Gann (Basket Case 2), and videography by SOV legend Hugh Gallagher (Gorotica), Damselvis is a subversive, southern fried eruption of religious satire, uninhibited nudity, punk rock attitude, and 20th century pop culture iconography. Saturn’s Core is proud to present Damselvis, Daughter of Helvis in its first-ever director-approved, disc debut marking its return to physical media for the first time since its initial, scarce VHS release in 1994.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- Audio commentary with writer / director John Michael McCarthy moderated by Mike Hunchback of Seminal Psychosis
- “Resurrecting Helvis” – an interview with writer / director John Michael McCarthy
- “Making Something Out of Nothing: The Making of Damselvis”: Over 2.5 hours of rare behind the scenes footage!
- Director John Michael McCarthy reads the Damselvis & SuperSexxx comic books
- “Helvis on Tour” -Concert footage featuring characters from Damselvis performing live on stage at the Antenna Club in Memphis
- Stills / Artwork gallery
- Reversible cover art
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-FREE
FROM PARTNER LABEL CULTURE SHOCK RELEASING:
Description: Powell Davidson and his magician friends are tired of working under Donald Graham. They want to get into some serious magic, some necromancy. Powell has computed the perfect time to summon a spirit. In an abandoned pueblo outside of town, they perform their spell and unwittingly unleash Aaron Parker, a murderous Civil War Major, to fulfill his dying curse — to kill the descendants of every person who condemned him to death by hanging in 1875!
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- Feature-length commentary by Director Paul Clinco
- Rough cut ending featuring extended gore sequences
- Excerpt from Genre Grinder podcast about Death Magic
- Comparison of available video sources
- Behind the scenes still gallery
- Gallery of reviews and synopses
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-FREE
FROM PARTNER UTOPIA DISTRIBUTION:
Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.
Description: Freakscene is a homage of one of the most influential bands of Alternative Music, which inspired rock scenes in the 1990s – including Nirvana. A tragically funny and noisy roller coaster ride by a dysfunctional family: Dinosaur Jr.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- Director commentary
- Bonus interviews (11 min)
- New York Premiere Q & A with J Mascis and director Philipp Reichenheim
- Green band trailer
- Red band trailer
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-A “LOCKED”
FROM PARTNER LABEL ALTERED INNOCENCE:
Description: One of the best trans films you’ve likely never heard of, Antonio Gimnez-Rico’s landmark 1983 documentary Dressed in Blue (Vestida de Azul) explores the lives and loves of a group of six transgender women living in Madrid in the years following Spain’s transition to democracy. But more than that, it’s a loving portrait of a culture finally emerging from the shadows after being hidden for far too long. Antonio’s portrait of these women gave them the freedom to portray their own stories with their own friends & family, but in a stylized scripted narrative framework with gorgeous cinematography by Teo Escamilla. The stories of Eva, Nacha, Loren, Josette, Rene, & Tamara were never properly released outside of Spain and never available on home video, but finally Altered Innocence and Anus films is proud to present this vital testament to just how far we’ve comeand how far there’s still left to go.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- A Return to the Palace: Dressed in Blue at 40: A conversation about trans cinema with film historian Elizabeth Purchell; trans film critics Juan Barquin, Caden Mark Gardner, Willow Catelyn Maclay; filmmaker and researcher Frances Arpaia; and porn performer Carta Monir (68 minutes)
- A 16-page booklet with new essays by Sam Bodrojan and Caden Mark Gardner
- New Theatrical Trailer
- Other Trailers
- English subtitles
- REGION-FREE
FROM PARTNER LABEL GUNPOWDER & SKY:
Description: New Year’s Eve 1999. Cappo (Elliot Edusah), Two Tonne (Jordan Peters) and Kidda (Reda Elazouar) drive through London in their tiny Peugeot 205, pumping a live garage set from the stereo and arguing about their Avirex jackets and Naf Naf imports. As the eighteen-year olds step into adulthood they know their lives and friendships are on the brink of change. Determined to end the century on a bang they drive from place to place in a desperate search for tickets for the best millennium party EVER. In their efforts to end up somewhere, they end up closer together.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- Audio commentary
- EPK video
- Behind the scenes
- Trailer
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-A “LOCKED”
FROM PARTNER LABEL CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL PICTURES:
Description: Struggling to subsist on negligible and infrequent gold discoveries, prospector Ralph Logan (Halloween’s Donald Pleasence) crosses paths with Mazella (Return of the Living Dead’s Don Calfa), a New York City drifter with a three-wheel motorcycle and plenty of time on his hands. After introducing his new acquaintance to the practical, level-headed Gladys (The Andromeda Strain’s Kate Reid), Logan suggests the trio join forces for a mission deep into the mountains of British Columbia in search of his father’s elusive stash of gold. The journey that follows is equal parts dangerous, exciting, wacky, and enlightening, as this mismatched trio goes to extraordinary lengths to make the most of their golden opportunity.
The one and only live action feature from famed animation director Gerald Potterton (Heavy Metal), The Rainbow Boys is a lively showcase for the talents of its three stars and a visually stunning widescreen journey through Canada’s great outdoors. With a playfully old-fashioned approach, this film brings to mind the more expansive, adventurous Hollywood comedies of the ’50s, but with an oddball sensibility all its own. Like the gold our heroes seek, The Rainbow Boys is a long-lost treasure just waiting to be rediscovered.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM 35MM INTERPOSITIVE
- Audio commentary featuring director Gerald Potterton, producer Anthony Robinow, and composer Howard Blake
- An Hour with Gerry (2022, 53 min.) A career-spanning interview with director Gerald Potterton
- The Legend of Don Calfa (2022, 27 min.) Author/filmmaker Gary Smart reflects on the life and work of his friend Don Calfa
- The Rainbow Boys: From VHS to Blu-ray (2022, 4 min.)
- Restoring The Rainbow Boys (2022, 3 min.)
- Re-release trailer
- Pinter People animation (1969, 16 min.) Four animated segments written by Harold Pinter and directed by Gerald Potterton
- Booklet featuring reflections from editor Katherine Reynolds and an essay by Donald Pleasence biographer Sam Bessant on the actor’s Canadian films
- Reversible cover artwork
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-A “LOCKED”
FROM PARTNER LABEL VHSHITFEST:
Description: Five creatures of darkness come together for a one of a kind gathering. Their fates intertwined in the resurrection of a demon god. What kind of carnage will ensue when these children of the night unite?
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- Audio commentary
- Making of documentary
- Bonus feature
- Music Video
- Still Gallery
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-FREE
FROM PARTNER LABEL DEAF CROCODILE FILMS:
Description: In the vein of SHAFT and DOLEMITE, SOLOMON KING stars Sal Watts as an ex-CIA operative / ex-Green Beret / nightclub owner seeking violent revenge for the murder of his girlfriend by hitmen working for an oil-obsessed Middle Eastern ruler.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- BRAND NEW RESTORATION FROM THE ONLY KNOWN COMPLETE 35MM PRINT
- New commentary track by film critic and historian Walter Chaw (Film Freak Central, A Walter Hill Film – MZS Press)
- New commentary track by author, journalist, and documentary film producer Steve Ryfle (Ishiro Honda – Wesleyan University Press)
- New three-part video interview with Belinda Burton-Watts (widow of director/star Sal Watts)
- New booklet essay by Josiah Howard (Blaxploitation Cinema: The Essential Reference Guide – FAB Press)
- July 18, 1976 episode of THE JAY PAYTON show (executive produced by Sal Watts)
- Reproduction of the original SOLOMON KING pressbook
- Restoration demo video featuring the original faded print and the newly restored feature
- Blu-ray mastering and authoring by David Mackenzie/Fidelity in Motion
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-A “LOCKED”
FROM PARTNER LABEL MUSIC BOX FILMS:
Description: Based on a series of avant-garde vines by creator Albert Birney, Sylvio is the story of Baltimore-based gorilla Sylvio Bernardi’s rise and fall from local TV fame. Sylvio’s droll 9-to-5 is interrupted when he is sent to collect the debt of a small talk show producer, and is mistaken for a juggling guest. The fallout of Sylvio’s clumsy juggling is not just broken vasesthe viewers fall in love with Sylvio’s chaotic and destructive ape persona. As a result, Sylvio’s personal preferences for tender puppetry and delicate stop motion are put at direct odds with the character he finds himself playing for his human viewers. As Sylvio’s identity crisis mounts fantasy and reality poetically blur to reveal that he has been fighting the “beast” image for years. Sylvio is a downright lovely and absurdist cult classic that speaks to anyone who fails to live out their stereotype.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- New Feature Audio Commentary by directors Albert Birney and Kentucker Audley
- Deleted Scenes
- Bonus Short Films
- Music Videos
- Original Kickstarter Video
- Complete series of original Simply Sylvio Vines
- Theatrical trailer
- English SDH subtitles
- REGION-FREE
FROM PARTNER LABEL FACTORY 25:
Description: In a desperate search to create a follow-up to Joe Swanberg’s 2011 film UNCLE KENT, Kent Osborne travels to a comic book convention in San Diego where he loses his mind and confronts the end of the world. Reuniting in the GREMLINS 2 of “Indie” sequels, Joe Swanberg, Jennifer Prediger and Tipper Newton return in a surrealist look into Osborne’s madness. Written by Osborne and passing the directors’ torch over to Todd Rohal (The Catechism Cataclysm) Uncle Kent 2 plays out like an absurdist successor that bends the rules of sequels and the minds of the audience.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- Audio Commentary with Kent Osborne and Todd Rohal
- Trailer
- Bonus films curated by Todd Rohal and Kent Osborne
- Violeta No Coge el Ascensor A feature-length Spanish-language remake of Joe Swanberg’s mumblecore classic Hannah Takes the Stairs
- Rat Pack Rat – Short film directed by Todd Rohal and starring Steve Little and Eddie Rouse
- The Pipe – Short film directed by Dan Brown and starring Kent Osborne and Nathan Zellner
- Get This Party Slammin’ – Music Video featuring Kent Osborne with music by Kevin Bewersdorf
- Booklet includes essays by Andrew Bujalski, L.P. Eaves (author of the novelization of Uncle Kent 2), a comic adaptation of Uncle Kent 2 by Kent Osborne, the unabridged shooting script by Kent Osborne and Todd Rohal, and poster pull-outs for Uncle Kent 2 and the yet to be produced sequels
- English SDH subtitles
- REIGON-FREE
