Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer
Embalmer

American Genre Film Archive

Embalmer

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$28.99
$41.98
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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

AGFA-074 SLIP
{ "43982214037546":1 }
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This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!

Details

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This special limited edition spot gloss and embossed slipcover is limited to 2,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

Presented in partnership with Something Weird Video...

The American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) represents the world's largest theatrical catalog of exploitation cinema. Their home video line presents a diverse selection of movies, ranging from new preservations of classics from the vast library of Something Weird to the wildest in shot-on-video (SOV) titles. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!

An urban legend-based slasher from acclaimed filmmaker S. Torriano Berry, EMBALMER is one of the few 1990s independent horror movies that was made for Black audiences. The story follows Chiffon, a troubled teenager with a dark past, as she and her friends run afoul of Undertaker Zach—a mortician who killed his family and turned his funeral home into an H.H. Holmes-style murder castle. Shot on 16mm film with a small budget in Washington, D.C., EMBALMER utilizes a hip-hop soundtrack, sly humor, and slasher mechanics to tell a deeper story of abuse, trauma, and the never-ending cycle of coping with pain. AGFA is honored to bring this powerful chapter of overlooked '90s horror to Blu-ray for the first time ever.

directed by: S. Torriano Berry
starring: Jennifer T. Kelly, Kenneth E. Mullen, Myron Creek, Tracy Owens, Dexter K. Tennie
1996 / 86 min / 1.37:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0

Additional info:

  • Region Free Blu-ray
  • Preserved from the original 1” tape master
  • Video introduction by director S. Torriano Berry
  • Q&A with Berry
  • Archival behind the scenes featurette
  • Original trailers
  • EMBALMER: EARLY CUT, a previously unreleased version
  • Short films from Berry:
    • IN THE HOLE (1984)
    • DAY OF THE CROW'S CALL (1986)
    • EUPHRATES AWAKENING (1992)
  • Bonus movie: THE BLACK BEYOND (1985-92), Berry's previously unreleased shot-on-video sci-fi/horror anthology
  • THE BLACK BEYOND news segment
  • English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.5047617 / 5 from 105 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Embalmer is a limited edition Blu-ray release from AGFA, featuring a unique urban legend-based slasher film directed by S. Torriano Berry. The package includes a special slipcover and various bonus features. Customer feedback on the movie is mixed, while the release package is highly appreciated.

Summary topics

  • Package Quality (25%): Many customers appreciated the great package from AGFA with a gorgeous slip cover, a great little release.
  • Film Quality (20%): The feedback is varied, with some reviewers praising the movie while others found it bad or strange.

Review topics: ["shipping","looks","packaging","release","upgrade","film","movie","slasher","flick","agfa","legend","extras","slipcover","features","find","vibe","presentation","horror","title","acting","watch","twist","family","characters","restoration","take","gem","effects","label","rescue"].

Review highlights

  • "It’s a great package from Agfa with a gorgeous looking slip cover, a great little release for sure." — james b.
  • "If you like interesting movies" — Ryan V.
  • "A perfect AGFA release" — Jason S.

Reviews

Embalmer Rules

"I did not know about this movie and I'm really glad that I picked up it. Such great vibes and a great release. Thanks AGFA."

— Roger S. (5/5)

You will be embalmed

"Great film rescued from Obscurity. The fashion, the vibes! was just a really great time. I liked the look of the restoration and a great twist which I did not see coming. Highly recommend for slasher fans for sure! Some also surprisingly good gore effects later on too!"

— Darren O. (5/5)

Immediately hits the right tones

"Immediately hits the right tones out of the gate, bringing back the feeling of all the DTV shelf fillers I rented every weekend growing up, only done so with a fraction of the cost and much more limited reach. If I had been able to rent this and dupe it along with all the ones, I'm sure it would have been in rotation with all the others I had. You got the group of teens, mystical slasher like guy, dreamlike tone, and solid ending. Only hits it really takes is muddled pacing when there's far too much focus on wandering dark halls, though that in itself is one of the hallmarks of 90's DTV, I suppose."

— Dustin B. (4/5)

Embalmer

"This was a blind buy for me and as of April, one of the best partner releases so far. Embalmer reminded me of a mix of Candy Man and an elevated episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark? It taps into subjects we find fascinating and terrifying as children. It explores material that a lot of movies wouldn’t attempt. With a black cast and majority black production crew, Embalmer remains a mid 90s independent horror gem. The special features contain a Q&A with S. Torriano Berry, a making of featurette, short films by the director and even a full length one by him as well. I love the slipcover for this one too. Exceptional release from AGFA."

— Steven C. (4/5)

Important 90s Horror Rescue

"Great AGFA rescue. Embalmer sounds like more than just a slasher, mixing urban legend horror, trauma, sly humor, and a Washington D. C. 16mm indie perspective that barely got its due. The bonus Berry material makes the release feel especially valuable."

— Danny W. (5/5)

AGFA does it again

"This is very cool, definitely check it out if you generally like what AGFA does."

— Scott Z. (5/5)

Embalmer

"Great one I still have my vhs copy of it good movie for the collection"

— Andrew D. (5/5)

Absurdly spirited!

"I love discovering gems like Embalmer. It takes me back to a time where filmmakers were coming up with so many ideas and just making it happen. If you don't mind watching unknown regional actors deliver weird horror camp, this one is for you."

— Branden Y. (4/5)

This is the rap about undertaker zach

"So weird and fun that this exists and is preserved."

— James H. (3/5)

Another great AGFA release

"Very entertaining and enjoyable 90s slasher. I purchased it because - although the main characters are in different professions - I was reminded of the excellent ‘Tales From The Hood’. So was very happy to see a TFTH poster on display in the video store. Loads of extras and great slipcover/artwork."

— Andrea M. (5/5)

Q&A

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