Product Details

• Actors: Steve Haworth
• Directors: Larry Silverman
• Producers: Larry Silverman
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001ESEJUE
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,426 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

EVERY ARTIST NEEDS A CANVAS. FOR STEVE HAWORTH, IT'S HUMAN FLESH.

Flesh & Blood is Larry Silverman's compelling, critically acclaimed documentary about one of the most controversial and legendary practitioners in the world of radical body modification. Haworth takes piercing to whole new extreme. Haworth spawned a global subculture fixated on his surgical artistry. Some of the world's most extreme looking people have spent time under Haworth's knife. Flesh and Blood is an unflinching glimpse into an intense and mysterious world Haworth helped to create, and the obsessed people who inhabit it.

Reviews

"From the first moments of Flesh & Blood, you'll be hooked." - Tattoo Revue

"An amazing documentary... emotionally complex, a unique achievement." - The Boston Phoenix

"Honest and candid...Haworth is a legitimate pioneer." - BMEzine

"Steve Haworth pierces and cuts, pricks and prods his living canvases into works of art. - Pain Magazine

"Not for the squeamish." - Prick Magazine

THIS MOVIE IS NOT RATED. IT CONTAINS NUDITY AND MATURE SUBJECT MATTER. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. DVD contains 9 deleted scenes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Change Your Body, Change Your Life?, June 9, 2011

By 

stoic (Mobile AL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Flesh & Blood (DVD)

Flesh and Blood is an interesting look at the recent rise in body modification. At one time, it was daring to have a tattoo or for a man to wear an earring. Those days are over and people are pushing the boundaries ever farther in their attempts to change themselves.

The documentary examines several people in Arizona. One, Steve Haworth, helps people modify themselves. Among other procedures, viewers see Haworth implant metal studs in a man's scalp. The film also examines many of those who undergo modification. The film shows people who undertake suspensions in which they hang from meat hooks that are inserted under their skin.

While I enjoyed Flesh and Blood, I wished that the film had offered viewers more insight into why people undergo modifications. However, viewers have to find the answers for themselves.

Flesh and Blood is a different way to spend an hour.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Could be better, but a worthwhile see, May 7, 2011

By 

Heresy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flesh & Blood (DVD)

First off, I am someone who lives in Arizona, goes to some of the fetish events Steve helps organize, and know individuals who have participated in Life Suspended and belong to other circles directly related to some of the people in this film. I have seen plenty of his work in person, and although I am not personally into heavy body modification myself, I respect his talent and professionalism as an artist.

That being said, I think that Larry Silverman could have done better putting together 5 years worth of footage into a more coherent and straightforward documentary that clocks in at roughly an hour. Even for those familiar with the scene and/or Steve's work, the first two-thirds of the movie are informative and provide a succinct but interesting perspective on the artist, his background, and the clients he works on. It seems candid and unforced like a casual glimpse into a condensed version of his life which is what I believe a documentary should be. Some of the scenes will startle those who have never seen them, and admittedly, seeing a transcrotal piercing being performed made me cringe a little. Overall, these first 40 minutes kept me interested and made me wish I could have heard more of Steve's dad talking about his son when he was younger or heard more insight from the heavy body mod clients on why they decide to take things to the next level.

The last third of the movie is what made me deduct a star because the movie started steering into a reality television drama vibe just for the sake of drama. Flesh hook suspension is rather interesting on its own, but someone decided to add a sub-story about a girl who travels to Phoenix to suspend on her eighteenth birthday, falls in love, realizes things about herself, gravitates out of the scene, and talks about her overall experience after a certain long duration of time. Seeing how suspensions started, how Life Suspended got up and running as a performance group, and Steve recounting his own ideas on the suspensions he organizes struck me as interesting by themselves. The interjected coming-of-age mini-saga really did not fit into the movie and should have put with the deleted scenes.

It was all worthwhile to buy the DVD and watch it, but I felt somewhat shortchanged because it could have been more in-depth while still appealing to the crowd of people who only watch the DVD for shock value.

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Rounded Peek into Lifestyle, September 10, 2011

By 

G. Jordan "Voracious Reader" (Adirondacks, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flesh & Blood (DVD)

I don't recommend anyone under 18 view this, or anyone squeamish especially if blood or pain is an issue for one, this would be difficult to watch. I'm not into pain or blood, so at 1st it was hard to take, but once realizing these people not only choose to do this, some even enjoy the pain, the scenes were more bearable or perhaps the shock lessened. I have tattoos & pierced ears, not into any further modification, yet I can watch this for the peek into a different lifestyle, and respect an adult's choice in what they do as long as no one else is harmed by their actions. This is a very graphic documentary shot with excellent production, video & sound quality. Genitals are seen close up as is bleeding & punctures with everything from surgical instruments to giant hooks--the most difficult to watch for me was the suspension which was about half of this film's focus. Haworth explained the medical, legal, moral & ethical issues, including a sentimental scene with his father discussing ramifications. The effects on relationships of these lifestyle choices was covered in detail, as was an example of someone who later chose to opt out of body modification & had his implants removed. Whether one is into body modification & suspension, or not, this is a great look into a mostly hidden or underground part of society, and one will leave the film knowing perhaps more than one ever wanted to about all sides of these choices. I didn't find Haworth to be arrogant or egotistical, but instead honest & frank, after all he did create this industry & the tools, & he expresses concern about others who may follow in his footsteps without the proper training, concern for safety or understanding of anatomy, causing harm that could easily affect his life's work & chosen lifestyle, as well as losing legal and medical freedom to continue in his field. I wish the film had been longer and included more historical references to other cultures similar practices, although some historical coverage was included it was a very brief mention. I would definitely see this again and recommend it to others.