Operating outside the commercial boundaries of Hollywood cinema, alternative and independent filmmakers have much to offer the discriminating viewer. Yet they struggle for a place in the popular culture, and even more for recognition by the scholarly community.
The specific aim of this book is to provide much-needed critical examination of titles, particularly those by British filmmakers. In-depth commentary from such acclaimed writers as Maitland McDonagh, Jasper Sharp, Johannes Schönherr and Marcus Stiglegger considers filmmakers who work at the very heart of the independent medium, giving the reader specific insight into alternate cinema and the struggles its filmmakers endure. Featured are interviews with both rising and established filmmakers, including the infamous Guy Maddin and Herschell Gordon Lewis. Finally, this collection of interviews and essays boasts a 20th anniversary retrospective on the British cult classic The Company of the Wolves, complete with an exclusive interview with director Neil Jordan.

Matthew Edwards is a primary school teacher and freelance writer from Cirencester, England. He is the author or editor of numerous books on world cinema.

Edited by Matthew Edwards
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 263
Bibliographic Info: 103 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2007
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2970-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0780-1
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      v

Introduction      1

1. “Don’t Stray from the Path”: Sexuality, Dreams and Eroticism in Neil Jordan’s The Company of Wolves      5

2. In the Company of the Wolf: An Interview with Neil Jordan      15

3. Close to the Bone: An Interview with Paul Hills      20

4. The 2001st Maniac: An Interview with Herschell Gordon Lewis      40

5. Inside Pink      50

6. Thundercrack! And a Brief Overview and Appreciation of the Golden Age of Porn      61

7. An Interview with Melinda McDowell      67

8. Animating the Extreme: The Animation of Phil Mulloy      72

9. Between the Frames: An Interview with Phil Mulloy      86

10. Writing Argento      95

11. Requiems for Abandoned Souls: The New Wave of Spanish Mystery Thrillers      103

12. The New Throwback: The Films of Dante Tomaselli      112

13. Godspeed You! Black Emperor and the Japanese Underground Biker Phenomenon      126

14. A Permanent State of War: A Short History of North Korean Cinema      135

15. Godzilla Goes to North Korea: An Interview with Kenpachiro Satsuma      205

16. The Winnipeg Wonder: An Interview with Guy Maddin      221

About the Contributors      239

Bibliography      241

Sources and Resources      243

Index      245

“excellent”—Filck Attack; “excellent”—Bookgasm.