Bloodlines: The Art and Life of Vincent Castiglia- “The Blood Artist” A new documentary from John Borowski-Fitz of Horror Review

Written by Bryan Fitzgerald (Fitz of Horror) October 28, 2018

Synopsis-Vincent Castiglia paints in human blood. The haunting, yet beautiful, images are of human bodies in various forms of decay. The reasons why Castiglia began painting in blood are explored in this emotional roller coaster ride portrayed on film.

John Borowski‘s Bloodlines: The Art and Life of Vincent Castiglia documentary doesn’t quite follow suit with the serial killer films we’re used to him making but this film is simply amazing because of Bororwski’s ability to tell an engrossing story but mostly here, his unique subject matter a truly gifted individual by the name of Vincent Castiglia.

Castiglia is an enigmatic figure that now makes a living by painting macabre, surreal and beautiful artwork with his own blood. This profession is fascinating enough on its own but how he came to discover this unique form of expression is an even more interesting and very painful story.

Growing up in a broken home and being the subject of unspeakable abuse at the hands and words of his mother, Vincent grew up in a very harsh environment with little love to speak of. As a young adult he turned to art, drugs and alcohol to cope and escape the reality of his troubled existence. But one particular hate fueled argument with his mother unknowingly at the time, changed the course of his life forever.

Years later Castiglia fully realized his craft and the eerie uniqueness of it and used it as a form of personal therapy. He would take his bad and painful experiences and create hauntingly beautiful works of art with his own blood, virtually cleansing his body of the cerebral pain he had endured. With great talent though comes great responsibility and sometimes this was too much for him resulting in several drug relapses with mental and physical repercussions that still affect him to this day.

I truly believe that there are some humans put on this earth to make a difference and that they were destined to be who they are and do what they do, Vincent Castiglia in my opinion, is one of these people. The hardships, overdoses and physical trauma he has endured would have killed most people but he was bound for greatness and this greatness needed to be shared with the world so there was most definitely a higher power of some sort watching over him and keeping him alive.

Borowski’s documentary follows Castiglia’s journey from troubled and abused youth to renowned, respected and gifted artist and everything in between. With interviews from celebrities like Gregg Allman (The Allman Brothers),  Margaret Cho and bands like Slayer and Triptykon who all have one of a kind Castiglia pieces (some done in their own blood), we get to see what a major influence he has had on the lives of people from different walks of life.

This is a very well done and very engrossing documentary that is part sadness, part rock and roll and all inspiring.

Below is just a few pieces of his visionary artwork that is all created from the depths of his beautiful mind and the blood that once flowed through his veins.

The DVD will be available November 13th on Amazon US and UK and also Google Play and Xbox platforms.

Follow him at Vincent Castiglia on Facebook 

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