Santa Sangre Analysis: A Coming of Age Story

A look at Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1989 surrealist film Santa Sangre as a coming of age story. The internal becomes external in splendid color as Fenix struggles with the strength of his internalized parental voice.
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[@poontang3zizo]

Santa Sangre is hands down one of the most horrific yet beautiful movies ever made. Or maybe I should say hands _up_

[@SergiMedina]

Good video, congratulations. This movie is a masterpiece. Nevermind the low budget. Just the character of Alma makes everything worth it.

[@FilmFormula]

Thanks for all the support, everyone! I'm currently travelling. New videos will be out first week of July!

[@edrodrivas]

This movie is a piece of art, so much analysis to discover. Thanks Jodorowsky for making it

[@joeg9478]

One of my absolute most favorite movies....totally original, a masterpiece. Filled with stunning visuals, twisted symbolism, and a sublime ending. I own the film on VHS, if that tells you just how long I have loved this film. Bravo to Jodorowski.

[@Liboo52]

You're brilliant! Thank you for making such thoughtful videos about great movies :)

[@FilmFormula]

Thank you so much :)

[@blanebostock]

That was great! One of my very favorite films of all time. The Freudian analysis was spot on. (But isn’t it strange to think that the materialist, cocaine fueled world of Freudian theory bacame the basis for an interpretation of reality that could produce such a life affirming and transcendent movie?)

[@carissamartin7646]

So, in the scene where Concha screams at the same time the elephant dies, I have at least read and seen that is supposed to be a rape scene. If this is true, I think that changes some interpretations a little bit. It further drives the point home that Fenix has never had positive associations with sex and sexuality, which influences his later behavior. It also contributes to Concha's characterization as one that represents trauma, especially considering her connection to her church and santa sangre as a concept throughout the film. I feel this film not only looks at the loss of innocence, trauma, and aging, but also masculinity. Especially looking at the prominence of machismo in several Latinx and Hispanic cultures, including that of Chile, which is Jodorowsky's country of origin, and Mexico, where Santa Sangre takes place. Religion also plays a major role in this movie, including looking at women in religion. It's a beautiful film with a lot to look at for sure.

[@nodditiesoddities]

Can you elaborate? I’m currently watching this and Concha seems to be ontop and in control in that scene. Unless I missed something?

[@carissamartin7646]

@@nodditiesoddities Orgo hypnotizes Concha into having sex with him, violating her consent. If you look into her eyes, she is not engaged with what is going on. She is just going through the motions and staring vacantly outward, implying hypnotism and/or dissociation. Also worth noting that certain sexual positions do not automatically equal consent or the absence of coercion.

[@jph4889]

Excellent analysis.

[@erccdang]

you do interesting video essays! dont give up!!

[@FilmFormula]

Thanks! :)

[@TheBlondiesNr1]

i never understood that the circus man was his father

[@truskoysusaventuras]

Great analysis! I loved Santa Sangre.

[@morrisyang3182]

Thanks for making this It was great

[@thraknar]

Excellent video!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

[@randysmith7045]

best horror film ever and 2nd best film of all time

[@animeloverhaven]

I just finished watching this movie and I thought it was great. I’m just confused on what the people who faded away in the end represented. I think the clowns represent innocence but the others I’m no exactly sure

[@francescomarani826]

Thank you:)! You quite save my mind:)! Exelent Analysis!

[@managut]

Great analysis

[@Chkhitoooo]

Nice review 🙌 Keep on the good work!

[@jinonimus]

awesome movie

[@evetoylekatiliyorjm]

you are a saint

[@eldesgraciado6690]

The fat woman with the little dog is also (diffrent person of course) feaured in Nacho Libre.

[@AsmountZion]

Good review, with some great analysis and interpretations of this masterful piece of art. However, you purposely mislead people to believe this is solely a "coming of age" tale, when in reality the final scene reveals its true underlying meaning. In that final scene, a bible passage (Psalm 143:8,9) is quoted, revealing a desperate plea to God to direct our paths. It's showing that without him, we're totally lost. The person responsible for this video edited that part out, totally missing the mark altogether. Cheers

[@jacobbender3573]

Actually, it's Psalm 143:6.8 which im pretty sure is different than the psalm you are referencing because that statement is contradicting to the themes of the film. Saying "without him, we're totally lost" is the same exact thing Mother told to Fenix. "Without me, you are nothing." However, we know the only reason Mother said this was because it was Felix's superego trying to establish dominance over Fenix's psyche. To be honest, I don't think Jodorowsky meant to tell a message that said, "embrace god, because without him we're nothing." . I don't think he meant to at all. In fact, the film itself is more of a commentary of religion, however his attitudes towards Religion and God itself remain a mystery.

[@anton_zloy]

@@jacobbender3573 Absolutely agree! Although I think that we can read the message of the film in a wider way - as the opposition between the New Statement and the Old Testament. People in Eden were innocent, as children are, as the Incas and the Aztecs were before Europeans came. They had their own morality and their own world - but European civilization came and taught them what is good and what is wrong. So they lost their innocence as Adam and Eve after they tasted from the Tree of Knowledge. The society, civilization tells us what is sin. And the loss of innocence in this world is the major part of growing up.

[@jacobbender3573]

@@anton_zloy Yes that is a beautiful way of analyzing it!

[@anton_zloy]

@@jacobbender3573 Thank you! I'm making a bit of research on the Sante Sangra movie, and wanted to ask you - did you notice any relation to the Tarot cards in the movie? :)

[@jacobbender3573]

@@anton_zloy I suppose it wouldn't be a Jodorowsky film without some reference to tarot or magic. I found that the whole film was full of psychological symbolism and spiritual alchemy. But I can't think of any specific tarot imagery, although I'm sure it's there somewhere. In his other films, the tarot imagery of the Fool and the Magician are very prevalent.

[@steventhorson4487]

😊😂