Blutkreis (2017)

Blutkreis (2017) - Germany
Directed by: Tim Rabenstein

ABOUT THE FILM:
Very special thanks to AE Filmkunst for providing me with a screener!
Blutkreis is a 20-minute short film produced by AE Filmkunst and co-produced by Grindhouse Films. The film is narrated by a man who explains the purpose of the blood circle, and how the rituals are passed on. Blutkreis is rather experimental in style, showcasing a linear selection of scenes of sacrifice and debauchery, layered with religious undertones and coated with gore and a foreboding atmosphere.

REVIEW:
I found Blutkreis to be very much in the spirit of Norwegian black arts what with its focus on ritualistic and religious undertones as well as chilling yet beautiful imagery of the forest and nature.
This film is equal parts old school amateur German horror and underground ritualistic video art. Along our journey filled with grisly sacrifices, we are aided with an eerie yet soothing and beautiful drone score by Musica Non Grata that balances the evil and the spiritualism very well. In addition to a good score, we are also treated to interesting and well-crafted sound design, which matches each scene perfectly and further establishes the atmosphere.
The shooting locations are well-picked and for a film shot mostly at night, there are some creepily beautiful shots that glow brilliant greens and blues, in contrast to the crimson juices on display. Aside from the rather shaky camera work, Blutkreis is a pleasant film to look at, and the film grain adds much more grit to an already grim piece of art.
I most certainly recommend Blutkreis to fans of amateur horror. Whereas there are a few notable splatter scenes, the film heavily relies on its score and the atmosphere it builds to sustain the viewer's interest, which is commendable. I am looking forward to seeing more titles from AE Filmkunst and co!

RELEASES:
-Blutkreis was released on DVD by AE Filmkunst in 2017 in a limited run of 33 copies, and each copy came with a pair of photographs from the set.

-NOTE: The version I watched, with the score by Musica Non Grata, has not yet been officially released, but will be included as a bonus on the upcoming DVD for Blutkreis - Chapter II! The original edit of Blutkreis showcased a different soundtrack, with black metal and and acoustic gutiars.