Spike Lee’s ‘Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus’ Hits Vimeo On Demand Before Theaters

Spike Lee’s latest film “Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus” is available for purchase and rental on Vimeo On Demand beginning today, Lee and Vimeo On Demand announced jointly.

“I’m hyped on my partnership with Vimeo to get my new joint ‘Da Sweet Blood of Jesus’ out to the world in a new way,” said Spike Lee in a statement. “This is the future of film distribution. Please join us.”

In November, Gravitas Ventures acquired North American distribution rights to the film, which was funded via Kickstarter.

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“Spike Lee is one of the most iconic filmmakers of our time and we couldn’t be more thrilled to work with him on this unprecedented release,” said Greg Clayman, General Manager Audience Networks, Vimeo, in a statement. “We are huge fans of Spike and were drawn to the film’s independent spirit. Having built an audience and raised over a million dollars on Kickstarter, we are beyond excited to bring the film to fans directly one month ahead of the theatrical release.”

The film is available now in the U.S. for a $9.99 24-hour streaming rental or $14.99 digital download on Vimeo on Demand. Gravitas will release the film theatrically and on VOD February 13, 2015. 

A love story of sorts, “Da Sweet Blood of Jesus” is a reinterpretation of Bill Gunn’s cult horror film “Ganja & Hess,” which screened as a Critics Choice at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.

In his review of the film, Eric Kohn wrote, “it’s worth sticking with Spike Lee even when the final result isn’t as good as the energy fueling it.”

The film focuses on an addiction to blood that once doomed a long forgotten ancient African tribe. Per the official synopsis of the film: “When Dr. Hess Green (Stephen Tyrone Williams) is introduced to a mysteriously cursed artifact by an art curator, Lafayette Hightower (Elvis Nolasco), he is uncontrollably drawn into a newfound thirst for blood that overwhelms his soul. He, however, is not a vampire. Lafayette quickly succumbs to the ravenous nature of the infliction but leaves Hess a transformed man. Soon Lafayette’s wife, Ganja Hightower (Zaraah Abrahams), comes looking for her husband and becomes involved in a dangerous romance with Hess that questions the very nature of love, addiction, sex, and status in our seemingly sophisticated society.”