Review of Aftermath (1994) by Tico P — 24 Nov 2010

It's quite disturbing to imagine what really goes on in a morgue, don't you think?

Look no further for this is the sick purpose of Aftermath.

Plot: None.

Story: None?

Gore: 100%.

Entertainment: None, depending on the viewer/voyeur.

Artistic/ technical value: 80%.

Production value: Decent.

Story: A mortician takes snap shots of a female corpse after a marathon of necrophilia, masturbation and dismemberment. He then takes the corpses heart home, feeds it to his dog, and then takes a television break.

Aftermath is a technically well made film with creative camera work, it's nicely lit, and has a nice classical music score that makes the whole experience even more disturbing. I don't know what Nacho was intending, but it does have a so called "Artsy Fartsy" feel and look. Expect close ups and convincing special effects and you'll be in for a treat if you're a gorehound. For a strange reason I couldn't seem to look away, and was fascinated by the atrocities on show here. I am sure that was Nacho's whole premise, and it succeeds.

Aftermath was made by Spanish director Nacho Cerda, while attending film school. It is part 2 of a Trilogy, the other 2 Genesis and Awakening I have yet to see. Aftermath is only 30 minutes long and doesn't need to be longer, or any sane viewer would be vomiting if the mortician had taken his time. This is by no means a cheap film and is visually stunning. Director Cerda didn't have a big budget to build a set, so an actual morgue was used. The film has no dialogue either. Don't be put off by the lack of the plot, as director Cerda clearly displays talent in Aftermath.

Director Cerda went on to direct his first feature film THE MACHINIST in 2005 staring Cristian Bale and Michael Ironside, that was excellent in my opinion. Later he directed another horror called THE ABANDONED, which I have read some nice reviews of and is described as a terrifying Lucio Fulci meets Andrei Tarkovsy type of film. I have to get this one day.

It has been previously released on a limited edtion DVD as a double bill with Genesis, and can be found on Amazon.

The only reason I stumbled into this one was because of an ad I saw in the paper, of a creep selling his collection. I had never heard of Aftermath, and the creep (he lived in a tiny apt. behind a beer brewery) eagerly recommended this one. I also bought Erotic rites of the Living Dead or something, and Nekromantik. I think the guy had identity issues. I said I was in a hurry, gave him some cash and left quick.

I lent this to a friend about ten years ago, and have still not got it back. He also had issues, was a big Kiss fan, and at the time was making a replica of a Star Wars ship into a bed.

I rest my case ...