C.I.A. Secret Story Faccia di spia (1975) Faccia di spia
C.I.A. Secret Story (1975)
DVDRip | MKV | 718x548 | x264 @ 1935 Kbps | 102 min | 1,66 Gb
Audio: English and Italiano - each AC3 2.0 @ 192 Kbps | Subs: English
Genre: Horror
DVDRip | MKV | 718x548 | x264 @ 1935 Kbps | 102 min | 1,66 Gb
Audio: English and Italiano - each AC3 2.0 @ 192 Kbps | Subs: English
Genre: Horror
Director: Giuseppe Ferrara
Stars: Adalberto Maria Merli, Mariangela Melato, Francisco Rabal
IMDB
So reads the opening statement of C.I.A. SECRET STORY, a bizarre and shockingly violent pseudo-documentary that could only have come out of Italy. Presented in a documentary-like form, this odd, mondo-style film sets out to reveal all the shady business and wrongdoings committed by the CIA. Reenacted for the camera are the CIA’s supposed involvement in a series of true events such as the American bombing of Guatemala at the insistence of the powerful United Fruit Company, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
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This film is based on real documents and facts that are no longer secret. The greater part of the CIA's intrigues and crimes have still to be revealed". Even before the opening credits roll, these words are displayed over a black screen. The film dares to show all the crimes that CIA committed in the past: The murder of Che Guevara, the rape and torture of innocent people, the Guatemala invasion, the Kennedy assassination, etc.
When a film kicks off like this you know it's going to be a rough accusation. Writer and director's Ferrara's only purpose is to reveal CIA's crimes that went unpunished. A pretty original idea for 1975, I must admit. But the whole thing becomes a bit confusing when suddenly he jumps from one incident to another. During the second half, the film gets stronger and even displays shocking gory scenes. But Ferrara's purpose is not to please horror fans, his aim is to depict the brutal reality of CIA's inhuman crimes.
The cast of Italian exploitation regulars does a good job, resulting to a believable outcome. Especially Claudio Carnaso is really convincing in Guevara's role, not to mention his resemblance to Che. Also look out for Umberto Raho of THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE.
If you take shots from Italian war, spy, exploitation and police films and edit them all together with footage of real-life events, the result will look similar to C.I.A. SECRET STORY. However, the stock footage does not really fit in with the rest of the movie. Ferrara's direction doesn't have the sense of realism that a mondo/documentary needs. Perhaps some will disagree but I believe Ruggero Deodato would be more suitable for this movie- just remember the realistic feel that CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST has. However, I must admit that Ferrara is able of creating shocking images that even Deodato or Lenzi would be proud of: There's a rape scene that borders on hardcore, a metal object inserted into a guy's penis and heated with fire, bodily dismemberment, eye-gouging, and more. Overall, the film has a sick feeling to it that I really appreciate.
It was a real surprise for me to find out that famous Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis scored this sleazy mondo film! It seems that almost every famous, respected artist has had a sleazy turn in the past! The pompous opening theme has been spinning in my mind for days and I think it's probably the best thing in C.I.A. SECRET STORY.
With all this amount of accusations against USA, it's no wonder that Ferrara's movie never got wide theatrical or video distribution. This is a really bizarre film and certainly not for the weak-hearted. Suggested to fans of the extreme Italian cinema.
(click to enlarge)
C.I.A. Secret Story Faccia di spia (1975) Faccia di spia
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