Macumba sexual: Write-up Prologue
If you were to read a description of this film on the imdb from any number of people, you get an odd assortment of "a goddess of lust and desire has potentially dastardly plans for an affluent couple on retreat" explanations for Jesús Franco's Macumba sexual (1983). Considered a "return to form", in the vein of what came before during Jess' heydey, Macumba sexual immediately opens in mystifying fashion and never lets up. You certainly spend a lot of time with the pussy of Jess' star, Lina Romay. She swivels and writhes, moaning and squirming, as her eyes remain closed (for the most part) while her body explains to us what Obongo is doing to her through a dreamlike plane of existence for which she's never experienced.
Obongo's reason for existing is more about what Jess can do with her as his camera develops her into something extraordinary and "not quite of this world". She's this overwhelming figure that envelopes Lina Romay's Alice. Conquering the world and being some goddess are details that exist to try and provide a form to a film that cares very little about operating with a narrative that follows any familiar route.
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Obongo's reason for existing is more about what Jess can do with her as his camera develops her into something extraordinary and "not quite of this world". She's this overwhelming figure that envelopes Lina Romay's Alice. Conquering the world and being some goddess are details that exist to try and provide a form to a film that cares very little about operating with a narrative that follows any familiar route.
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I think of Franco’s later output, Macumba sexual is the
closest to what his fans might consider “Classic Jess”. It is firmly lost in
its surreal world and offers a feeling of this tourist abandoning the real for
fantasy, losing herself within the atmosphere and “psycho-sexual cultural
voodoo” of the place for which she vacations. Lina Romay is one of Franco fans’
most recognizable figures. While I might not personally be as big a fan of her
as Franco’s ardent admirers might be, Macumba sexual, to me, is her final “Quality
Jess film”. He made other films like “Bloody Moon” and “Faceless” (both in the
80s) before and afterward that appeal to the non-typical Jess fan (they have a more
mainstream style to them, with material that isn’t quite so challenging and outré).
I’m a bigger fan of his out-there films (I’m certainly critical of his cash-ins
which seemed to be made simply because he was trying to remain relevant and keeping
with what was hot during the 70s and 80s) in the 60s and early 70s than what
came after. But I think Macumba sexual captures what had been missing from a
large chunk of the 70s. The Canary Islands are a HUGE reason why I dig Macumba
sexual. I think Jess takes this hot location and milks every ounce of its
cultural and local significance, giving his film this (I know it is used a lot,
but I think it is just the apt description) *otherworldly* ambience that clicks
with me.
Oh, it is fucking strange: how could one not react to Ajita
Wilson (as Princesa Obongo; what a name!) leading two human “dogs” (walking on
fours!) towards a surprised Alice who is accosted by them!?!?
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