Blu-Ray Review: Climax


There are few, if any, living directors who take as much pleasure in pushing boundaries and traumatising cinema-goers as Gaspar Noé. The Argentine has made a career out of terrorising his audiences, both visually and aurally. When he releases a new film, it’s guaranteed to be an experience; whether you like it or not. That could mean ducking at the right moment during Love or trying to hold on to the contents of your stomach in Irreversible. His new film Climax is quite literally a trip. Saddle-up for the ride of your life.

A group of dancers arrive at a warehouse in the middle of nowhere to rehearse. After spending a few days together they’ve built up relationships and connections but tension and mistrust persists. After a successful day they decide to celebrate by throwing a party. As the music pumps out the sangria begins to flow. However, something is very wrong and by the time they realise that someone has spiked the punch with LSD the hellish side-effects have kicked-in.

Whilst Climax is not his most controversial, distressing or terrifying movie, it’s seems to have a propulsive life of its own. The dance scenes are hypnotic, featuring great choreography, brilliant cinematography and thumping beats. Indeed, the music is as much a part of the film as the actors, creating a sonic tsunami which pulses through your body. Climax is an experience. One which you’re going to either gleefully jump on-board or sit cowering behind your sofa clutching your favourite teddy bear. Not for the faint of heart.

Special Edition Contents:

  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
  • 5.1 DTS-HD MA Audio
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Audio commentary with writer-director Gaspar Noé
  • An Antidote to the Void – a brand new interview with Gaspar Noé
  • Performing Climax – newly-produced featurette comprising interviews with actors Kiddy Smile, Romain Guillermic and Souhelia Yacoub
  • Disco Infernal: The Sounds of Climax – Alan Jones, author of Saturday Night Forever: The Story of Disco and Discomania, offers up a track-by-track appreciation of the Climax soundtrack
  • Shaman of the Screen: The Films of Gaspar Noé – a brand new video essay by writer Alexandra Heller-Nicholas looking as Gaspar Noé’s evolution as a filmmaker
  • Trailer
  • Reversible sleeve featuring two artwork options

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anton Bitel alongside the original press kit

Climax is released on DVD and Blu-Ray by Arrow Video on 11 February.

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