There is a select genre of film in the world that doesn't fall into one specific category. It can be science fiction, western, mystery, drama or more. It is a wide ranging genre that you won't find listed among categories on Netflix of Amazon Prime or Hulu. I call the genre "What the hell did I just watch?" This category often rambles from one scene to the next, sometimes never connecting those scenes or plunging us into what feels like a drug fueled exploration of themes with no sense of direction or even providing little to no story as it moves forward. Many times that isn't so much a question of no story so much as it is the writer/director putting his own vision on the screen even if the rest of us can't make head or tail of that vision. WE ARE THE FLESH falls into this genre.

Let me start by trying to explain what we seem to be watching. A man is confined to his home in what must be a post-apocalyptic world. He mixes various items into a vat and extracts from that some form of drug that he both uses a stopperful at a time and trades for eggs with some unseen benefactor. Into his world arrive a brother and sister hungry and looking for a place to crash. With a maniacal glee and a look reminiscent of Charles Manson, he takes them in, feeds them and eventually breaks them down to the point they have sex with one another. More happens but I'll leave it at that for those inclined to take the journey being told here.

But I should also let you know that the journey is strange and by the end leaves you wondering what it was you just watched. It makes you question what the point of the movie was or if there even was one. Maybe there isn't one. Or maybe this is an art film where only the director can interpret the film, translating what the images he placed on screen meant or represented. In other words it's more art film than your average movie. If you like that you'll enjoy this. If you like more straightforward fare then this is one you'll hate.

There aren't many straight out disturbing images here as many films in this genre are prone to offer (consider the odd "baby" in David Lynch's ERASERHEAD) but it will offer something that people will talk about and discuss or be offended by. Short of watching a porn flick the film offers plenty of sexual situations and close ups of genitalia. It also offers what appears to be various forms of on film sex starting with oral sex. If you're easily offended that should be your clue not to seek this film out. If it doesn't offend you don't think that this film will stimulate you. It's sort of like porn on acid with bright colored lights shining on the action and shot in a weird world of curved walls and slanted flats.

When all was said and done the ending twisted the entire story I'd just watched. Yes, it has a twist ending. It doesn't make the movie good or bad but makes it even stranger still. Once more, whether you view that as a good thing or a bad thing depends on how you view the movie. For me it's not something I will revisit and was more bad than good. It left me feeling nothing except wondering how funding for films like this seems to come easily for some while other projects I would find more interest in are left in the dust. But that's just my perspective. Some will come away loving this.

As far as the disc being offered here once more Arrow Video outdoes themselves. Would anyone expect less? The quality of the print is sharp, crisp and clean. Love or hate the images they are there to see in perfect clarity. The extras are for fans of the film and the director offering two shorts by director Emiliano Rocha Minter (Dentro and Videohome),interviews with director Emiliano Rocha Minter and cast members Noé Hernández, María Evoli and Diego Gamaliel, a video essay by critic Virginie Sélavy, the trailer and a still gallery. The film is in Spanish but English subtitles are available.

This is a strange movie to say the least. I read some choice words from the director after I watched the movie and I'd still say that there is more to it than just the flesh you'll get to see. And you are going to see a lot of flesh and skin. This is very explicit to say the least. The three main characters have a strange relationship to each other and our main older guy is coming off as a creep.

But as I stated before, this was done to shock and also to appall, but also to really mess people up. You probably will have mixed feelings about the movie or just downright hate it. A movie that can create such passion in the viewer might be onto something. It's not about enjoying what you watch (especially the scenes of sexual nature are not really there to arouse, but rather to make one uncomfortable),but being taken someplace you don't want to be. It feels like this tries to convey a state of society that has gone way too far ... or maybe I'm reading too much into it ...

After seemingly wandering a ruined city for years in search of food and shelter, two siblings find their way into one of the last remaining buildings. Inside, they find a man who will make them a dangerous offer to survive the outside world.

For me, this film is all about the rich color of the cinematography (from Yollótl Alvarado),the depth of the sound (from Esteban Aldrete),and the overall atmosphere. I could have used a bit less dizzying camera movement, however, though it does have an underlying purpose. Whether you appreciate the plot and situations or not (and many will not),there is no denying the craft of the camera and sound.

Variety noted that the film was an "extreme Mexican fiesta of incest, cannibalism and explicit sex that should earn detractors and fans in equal measure." Other reviewers have called it simultaneously boring and shocking. It really is all these things... some moments were too much for me to really enjoy the picture, as the shock factor seemed gratuitous -- unlike the extremes of "Visitor Q" or "Salo", which have a clear satirical purpose.

Now, to be fair, "We Are the Flesh" does have its satirical moments. It has digs on "blind patriotism" and attacks the ritualism of religion, specifically Catholicism. As the film progresses, more of this is evident and we realize how much the social conventions and expectations are turned on their head. (Some of the most subtle moments are not even realized until we learn the "names" of the characters from the credits!)

"We Are the Flesh" made quite the impact during 2016 on the festival circuit. I had my first opportunity to see it at Montreal's Fantasia. There was never any doubt that it would be picked up for distribution, though it comes as a surprise that the ones who came along were Arrow Video. Arrow is without question one of the best film distributors in existence, but their focus tends to be classic cult, not contemporary.

Regardless, Arrow pulls all the stops with their Blu-ray. We have new interviews with the director and cast, as well as a highly enlightening visual essay from critic Virginie Sélavy, where she explains easily-overlooked symbolism and draws parallels to the work of Alejandro Jodorowsky. Perhaps best of all ,the disc has two other short films from director Emiliano Rocha Minter: "Dentro" and "Videohome", to really round out the experience.