Deliria-Italiano

MURDER IN BLUE LIGHT

Top model Starlet works for some of the highest-priced ad campaigns in New York, even if part of the job is occasionally fighting off a grabby client. But she regularly drops out of her high-fashion life to secretly turn tricks as Sherry, a dominatrix and role player for men looking to play out their oddest kinks with her. She doesn't need the money; instead, she's hunting for a certain man. Meanwhile, a rash of stabbing murders keeps occurring around her. Grizzled, sarcastic NYPD sergeant Flanagan is the only one who can keep Starlet out of harm's way, though she refuses to level with him, and instead plays detective herself. When Flanagan keeps coming up with nothing, despite constantly rousting local prostitutes, he decides to apply pressure elsewhere. With creeps from both the high and low elements of New York life, and a serial murderer about, how much longer can Starlet push her luck?

A film rooted in the sleazy New York trends of Italian cinema from a decade prior, MURDER IN BLUE LIGHT showcases the ability of veteran writer/director Alfonso Brescia (Naked Girl Murdered in the Park) to jump into any required genre. Featuring a good deal of actual New York City street scenes, including Times Square, it leans into the sleaze with a twisty backstory and hints of a police procedural through its US star, David Hess (Last House on the Left). Also featuring Florence Guérin (Faceless) as Starlet, Rik Battaglia (Nightmare Castle), and Riccardo Parisio Perrotti (The Psychic), Vinegar Syndrome presents this obscure late entry in the "amateur detective" giallo newly restored from its original camera negative.

directed by: Alfonso Brescia
starring: David Hess, Florence Guérin, Rik Battaglia, Riccardo Parisio Perrotti, Sonia Topazio
1991 / 89 min / 1.66:1 / Italian Mono

Additional info:

Region Free Blu-ray
Newly scanned and restored in 2K from its 35mm original negative
Commentary track with film historians Eugenio Ercolanoi and Troy Howarth
Alternate home video cut of MURDER IN BLUE LIGHT (95 min, sourced from standard definition video)
Florence, Ma Chérie! (22 min) - an interview with actress Florence Guérin
Blue Light Topaz (31 min)- an interview with actress Sonia Topazio
The Highly Dependable Mister Bradley (25 min) - an interview with film historian Eugenio Ercolani
Reversible sleeve artwork
Newly translated English subtitles