A Commentary on Monxa Mala: Some Final Comments by Rich Moreland, July 2019 Unlike previous Jac Avila films, there is not much total nudity in Monxa Mala. For some viewers, this will be disappointing. Only Barbara and Julia get down to complete exposure. The others rely on loin cloths when the action gets rough. From […]
A Commentary on Monxa Mala: Various Sides of a Woman by Rich Moreland, July 2019 Various Sides of a Woman Writer/director Jac Avila leaves the viewer to decide what the Father means when he references the “big lie” that is making its way around the monastery. No matter how such a lie is interpreted, remember […]
A Commentary on Monxa Mala: Part Two by Rich Moreland, July 2019 Alive Leticia’s single-mindedness and her strength are brought to light in the bedchamber where ointment is applied after her scourging. She says with grit, “I will leave this place . . . maybe broken up into pieces, but I’ll leave from here alive.” […]
A Commentary on Monxa Mala: Part Two by Rich Moreland, July 2019 In this installment of Monxa Mala, we’ll offer our analysis of the story. We’re getting literary here so to fully appreciate the visual impact of this drama, purchase the film from Vermeerworks. Photos are courtesy of Pachamama/Decadent Films and Jac Avila. * * […]
A Commentary on Monxa Mala: The Back Story by Rich Moreland By the Early Middle Ages the Church’s patriarchal, anti-woman attitude dominated Europe. Though fighting heresy was their major thrust, churchmen had a history of torturing misguided nonbelievers condemned for dancing with the Devil. The abused victims were often the weaker sex vulnerable to Beelzebub’s seduction. […]
A Commentary on Monxa Mala – The Images by Rich Moreland Four images of importance dominate the film. First is the whipping post where the crucifixions are also carried out. It’s a Freudian phallic symbol and central to the male dominance of the dungeon. Leticia’s suffering while manacled to it is the main focus of the film. […]
A Commentary on Monxa Mala: The Players Leticia (Simonne): The Marquise’s daughter. She organizes a pagan feast that breaks “the sacred silence of the monastery” and is punished for her transgression. Lucrecia (Mila): The Enforcer. She is loyal to the Father. When he orders a scourging to “correct” a deviant novice, Lucrecia steps in to […]
A Commentary on Monxa Mala: Part One (II) by Rich Moreland Jac Avila is the writer and director of Monxa Mala, scoring another winner for the BDSM horror genre that is his specialty. With enough deviltry to make the story believable, he once again assumes the role of the torturer. What is particular about this film is […]
A Commentary on Monxa Mala: Part One by Rich Moreland In this first installment on Monxa Mala, we’ll set the stage for the film. Photos are courtesy of Pachamama/Decadent films. The Inquisition drawing is from gregfallis.com. This latest Jac Avila niche creation celebrates the visual delights that enrich his fan base. Maleficarum II: Monxa Mala is a […]
Leticia, At The Center Of The Storm Leticia, the Marquise’s daughter, arrives to the dungeons of the Holy Office with a chip on her shoulder. She was forced into the monastery by her mother. “I’m the gift from my mother to our most holy church” she tells Agustinus, her hands tied above her head, her […]