Black and white photojournalism by award winning photographer David Lee Longstreath
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tales from the trail

Mondo Bizarro

7/27/2019

2 Comments

 
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While growing up in Oklahoma City, I had a summer job at 13 at the neighborhood Lake Air drive-in theater. The theater was seedy and rundown at best, and for $1.25 an hour six nights a week, I popped popcorn, served cold Cokes, and mopped the toilets. Each night before the main movie, there were several short films. My favorite was "Mondo Bizzaro."  It included black and white scenes of jungle safaris and exotic places. One of the featured events showed Asian men jamming swords through their faces and walking in a parade with fireworks exploding all around. Some 32 years later, I witnessed that when I photographed my first Vegetarian Festival in Phuket, Thailand. I remember telling myself at the time, "this is the craziest shit I have ever seen, this is "Mondo Bizzaro."
For 10 days in late September and early October, there's a kaleidoscope of strange scenes at the annual Vegetarian Festival.  Devotees pierce their cheeks and shove all sorts of sharp objects through the cuts in their face.  It looks painful, but there's no display of pain and very little blood.  The first time I saw a devotee have a spike shoved through his face, I didn't know whether to puke or shoot. I shot the moment and have been doing so ever since. The festival dates back to the mid-1800s when historians say a traveling troupe of Chinese actors fell ill, most likely with dysentery. A decision was made to abstain from eating meat and offer prayers to the Chinese emperor gods for ten days.  Everyone recovered, and the locals have been celebrating the festival ever since.
I have made the annual trip to Phuket to photograph the event since 1997. Each year I seem to discover a different layer to the festival yet. The scenes of men jamming swords and spikes through their cheeks always cause me to wince and is only one aspect of the festival. At the same time, the smoke and noise from endless strands of exploding fireworks can be occasionally overwhelming. The vegetarian food is tasteless, but the images keep calling me back. Book a hotel room in downtown Phuket. You will be able to walk outside your hotel and directly into the street processions. Just remember to wear all white.
2 Comments
Debby Bootes
7/29/2019 10:59:33

Geez Dave!!! If I would have been there with you, I would have puked for you! Those guys must have been liquored up to do that!!! They probably still are!! You have always taken great shots!! I wish you would have been my photographer when I was in the modeling profession!! Take care of handsome self and please whatever you do, please do not do that to your face!!!

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Bill p Pointer
10/3/2019 06:00:27

You hansome devel,you. How's it going, buddy. Miss your twisted humor. One of my first jobs was "captian of the heads" in several service stations. I just knew I was destioned for greater things. Nothing like living up to your own deliusions. Love your photos. Just have problems with your "sword through the cheek shots. The photos are great. I am just too emphatic. I see them and feel the pain even if they don't. Keep up the great work. I happy photgraphing my grandkids and butterflys. I do like seeing your work. Just don't step in the doggy do.

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    Tales from the Trail
    Stories and thoughts from a 40 year veteran shooter.

David Lee Longstreath is a retired wire service photographer with more than 40 years experience on assignments around the world. He currently lives in upcountry Thailand.


​Contact me at dlongstreath@mac.com

Prints available at
Fine Art America.com


  • Tales from the Trail (blog)
  • Fine Art for Sale
  • Afghanistan Diary
  • Pakistan Diary
  • Tattoo Madness
  • Brother No. 1
  • Brother No. 2
  • Earthquake
  • Body Snatchers
  • Ladyboy
  • East Timor
  • Gulf War 1
  • Pakistan border camps
  • Forgotten War
  • One Survivor
  • My World in B&W
  • 10,000 Dead
  • Thaipusam In Malaysia
  • mondo bizzaro
  • About
  • Contact
  • Tales from the Trail (blog)
  • Fine Art for Sale
  • Afghanistan Diary
  • Pakistan Diary
  • Tattoo Madness
  • Brother No. 1
  • Brother No. 2
  • Earthquake
  • Body Snatchers
  • Ladyboy
  • East Timor
  • Gulf War 1
  • Pakistan border camps
  • Forgotten War
  • One Survivor
  • My World in B&W
  • 10,000 Dead
  • Thaipusam In Malaysia
  • mondo bizzaro
  • About
  • Contact