One of the great pleasures of working as hard as I do at my day job* is that it provides me with the means to indulge in all of the ridiculous, juvenile, base delights that fuel the Tenebrous Soul. I am full to brimming with dorkery from this past weekend, and I cannot contain my glee--please share in my delight, won't you, interpals?
*Being a grown-up sucks, but it pays well.
Friday's entry into the ongoing saga of Kevin Geeks Out presentations at 92YTribeca featured several "All Stars" who have contributed to past shows, and as such, it was a terrific blend of thought-provoking academia and intense fanboy (fan-person, really) love. One of the highlights of the evening was Heather Hendershot's essay on "Don Knotts: Reluctant Sex Object." It sounds silly, perhaps even (dare-I-say-it) "hipster"-ish, but Ms. Hendershot's presentation was filled with a genuine affection for her subject, and her thesis was quite insightful. The presentation was quirky and funny, but she managed to get across something very incisive about the way Knotts' comedy worked. I encourage everyone to hop over to FlowTV to read Ms. Hendershot's essay when you have a free moment--I guarantee it'll make you smile *and* think. Imagine that! Another high point found the inimitable Geoff Klock presenting a hilariously rapid-fire talk on superhero films and the odd connections between the actors in these beloved genre flicks. I never knew Gorilla Grodd campaigned for John McCain before hearing this presentation, but lo and behold--actor Powers Booth voiced both a megalomaniacal ape as well as television ads for a... no, I won't make that joke, but you can.
******
I approach the Chiller Theatre convention with what I'll politely call "a sense of trepidation." There have been some Significant Fuck-Ups in the way that con has run in the past that have left me not-so-much wanting to return. And yet, being a Jersey Girl with lots of horror-nerd friends, I get sucked back in year after year. I can honestly say that, for the second time in a row, I attended a totally-not-fucked-up* Chiller Theatre convention--on a Saturday afternoon no less!
*"Totally-not-fucked-up" in terms of logistics. One does not go to Chiller Theatre expecting anything less than a brainfuckling social and aesthetic experience--that's part of the glee.
One of the reasons I was pulled into the lurid orbit of Chiller again was the fact that the Italian Invasion Panel was making a return, which also meant that several of my nerds would be in attendance. Socializing AND shaking hands with Sergio Martino? SIGN ME UP. For the record, it seemed like Mr. Martino was more than a bit puzzled at the depth of my fan-love. I really do derive an extraordinary amount of joy from his thrillers--I think they've become my fave Italo-thrillers in point o' fact-o.
L to R: Unkown Panel Host (please ID yourself if you're reading!), Irene Miracle, Art Ettinger from UV, Geretta Geretta, Francesca Ciardi, Camille Keaton, Barbara Magnolfi
The Italian Actresses Panel was fascinating, and I was glad that the women weren't hesitant to address issues of feminism and politics in the films they'd starred in. Francesca Ciardi was adamant in her defense of "Cannibal Holocaust" and supported Ruggero Deodato's controversial film whole-heartedly. Irene Miracle ("Inferno") and Barbara Magnolfi ("Suspiria") spoke fondly of Dario Argento, and Geretta Geretta ("Demons" and "Murder Rock") displayed an almost-overwhelming love of genre films. Camille Keaton was charming and soft-spoken, even when talking about her iconic role as a revenge-seeking woman in "I Spit on Your Grave." While there was a general sense that these actresses enjoyed working in genre films, the consensus was that they were horrified by insert scenes. It's one thing to be a party to weird exploitive on-screen action, but it's another to have one's face co-opted into scenes that weren't even in the original script. I know I've joked (as have many fans of Eurotrash cinema) about the spliced-in scenes of explicit sex that appear in these movies, but hearing Magnlofi talk about the disgust she felt about the inserts in "Sister of Ursula" gave me pause. There's a whole lot that happens in these movies between concept, filming, editing, and marketing, and while I do derive no small measure of delight from their sometimes-literally balls-out madness, it was interesting to hear about the movie-making process from the perspective of women.
And can I just have a moment to gush over how universally bright, insightful, passionate and creative these women are? Because--yeah. It's refreshing to hear from women who have first-hand knowledge with the more--shall we say--outre avenues of the genre film world who own and celebrate the majority of their experiences. It doesn't hurt matters that Geretta Geretta is one of the coolest women I've ever met, and that Barbara Magnolfi lit up when Baron XIII and I told her how we always favored Olga in "Suspiria" and were rooting for her character throughout.
I'm taking a moment to shout-out (as the kids call it) to Art from Ultra Violent (who strong-armed me into writing another article for him), Mark from Film Fanaddict (who also has a Diabolik tattoo, as well as a Devo tattoo, thus making him the one person in the building with better ink than me--damn you, Mark), B-Sol from The Vault of Horror (whose kids are BEYOND charming, and whose daughter has more fiction-writing chops than *I* do), and the Abominable Dr. Gregg and his crew (a finer bunch of tiki companions, I'd be hard-pressed to identify). I'm very much looking forward to seeing what weirdness the October entry into the Chiller Theatre saga will have in store...!
14 comments:
A pleasure to catch up, as always! My daughter was in awe of you, pretty much lol She likes the idea of girls who like horror movies.
I'll be doing everything in my power to get back there in October--who knows, maybe even in a non-parental role! Let the drinking commence!
That sounds great.
I always wonder about the women in exploitation you don't hear from. I remember Dyanne Thorne discussing the unexplained "golden shower" scene in She-Wolf, and my beloved Alaina Capri dropping out of films because Russ Meyer took some liberties with his camera. Shame too, she was easily his best actress.
Any mention during the Italian horror actress panel about the passing of Carolyn de Fonseca, who provided the dubbed voice for Barbara Magnolfi's Olga in Suspiria? Tim Lucas gave a great obit on this in his Videowatchblog: http://videowatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/04/mata-haris-filing-her-report.html#comments
The last Chiller Theater I went to was in Spring 2001 (it has been a real long time). I fondly remember when Kevin used to have these at the gym at Farleigh Dickinson. IMHO, it was more fan friendly, and the casual atmosphere lent itself to better interaction between fans and celebs. The new location was certainly larger, but when I went the celebs were outside in a tent and the vendors and panels were spread over 3 rooms, so there was a real disconnect between celebs, panels and fans. Also, the wait to get in was about a full hour. In short, it was still enjoyable, but was also a serious cluster fuck. I'm glad to hear you had a good time. As for me, I enjoyed the weekend by doing yardwork (I planted six new trees and killed some poison ivy) and making my son's day by actually letting him buy that really cool Jango Fett/Slave One playset at Target that he "fell in love with." Maybe when he gets a little older, I'll start taking him to conventions like my dad did when I was young.
I always hate it when women sign on for these types of movies, and act so flabbergasted when someone dares bring it up ever again. Which is why I love these ladies for not dodging about it. They're so awesome.
Hey, I saw you there! We passed each other between the main lobby and the "pit" of celebs signing autographs, and I feel slightly stupid for not recognizing you, because if I had I definitely would have said hello. Horror bloggers represent!
Did Deodato mention why his new cannibal film went belly up?
Chiller is definitely the show I would love. They get the best guests at those things. I remember there was one I nearly made it to. The one when Goblin got back together to perform. Last minute snafu in my life prevented me from that once in a lifetime opportunity and I've never forgotten it. Big time bummer.
At the last Rock & Shock show I met Al Cliver and I yammered at him for the longest time before it dawned on me that he wasn't saying much to me just politely smiling. I would later learn that the man doesn't speak a word of english.
Looks like you had a great time! I really need to hit Chiller this Fall. Regrettably, I haven't made it to one yet.
That sounds like it was so fun! I haven't been to Chiller in 4(?) years! This post makes me want to get to the Fall show anyway possible! AH!
Hey Kate, I believe the unanamed panel host standing on the left in the group shot is film historian Louis Paul. Know one knows this stuff better than that guy! Also, just to set the record straight, the Goblin reunion convention that Cinema Suicide was talking about was actually not a Chiller show but a convention in the late 1990s in Terrytown, NY. Goblin ended splitting up (again) just before the show happened so main Goblin-er Claudio Simonetti ended up bringing his at-the-time new band Daemonia over from Italy to perform. At first I was disappointed to learn that Goblin was a no-show but Daemonia turned out to be awesome and I can't think that Goblin would've played those tunes any better. Incidentally both of the 2 Terrytown shows are legendary in my book. They were sadly very short on attendance and thus they never happened again. But for smaller shows the guest lists were amazing. Show #1 featured: Jean Rollin, Brigitte Lahaie, Rudy Ray Moore (who performed his complete xxx-rated comedy act), a slew of 1970s Black actors including Antonio Fargas, Richard Roundtree and many others, Russ Meyer starlets Edy Williams and Cynthia Myers and many others. Show #2 featured Ruggero Deodato, David Hess, Claudio Simonetti performing with Daemonia, Barbara Bouchet and others. Best 2 conventions ever!
Thanks so much for the report and photos...I so wish I could have gone to this one.
I went to Chiller this year, but missed the panels. It's so easy to lose track of time and so hard to stick to a schedule.
Thanks for the kind words!
B-Sol, it's always great to hang with you! Your kiddos are a trip, and your daughter is one bright young lady who's sure to follow in her dad's journalistic footsteps. I'm not sure about the likelihood of October--that's a packed month in the Empire! But I'll be sure to let folks know about any con-related plans.
Darius, it's fascinating to hear from the exploitation actresses. One tends to hear more from the directors' perspectives, but it's arguably the actresses who make or break these movies. I was delighted to see this group of clearly very intelligent and interesting women speak so candidly about their acting careers!
Fred, I never got to attend the FDU Chillers--they'd moved to the Meadowlands space by the time I started attending in 1995 (or 1996? Something like that). It still pains me that they had so many great guests that I missed, either through my at-the-time ignorance to their work or due to my coming in late to the game. I hope your son is loving his Slave One! I had quite the collection of "Star Wars" goodies so it makes me smile to know that kids are still loving those movies.
I'm with you, Simon--there shouldn't be a sense of shame about being featured in genre films. I mean... presumably they read the scripts...?
That's so funny, Bill! And no worries about not recognizing me--I am actually ROTTEN at recognizing people. I was sitting at a table next to Emily from Deadly Dolls' House for a good half hour before she had to basically come over and conk me on the head to say hi. I can be a little flakey under the BEST of circumstances. That having been said--definitely DO say hi next time!
Jaded, I didn't talk to Deodato (CH is a movie that TERRIFIES me to even think about), but I can only imagine the intricacies of film financing. It's why I paint--I'm only responsible for my work, and being able to afford the Cadmium colors ;)
CS, I missed that Goblin con as well! I remember being uber-broke at the time and unable to get a lift. The only way I can sleep at night is to embrace the fact that I'd really need a time machine in order to experience Goblin the way they should have been seen. Cold comfort, really.
Geof, Chiller is definitely AN EXPERIENCE. Not always a *good* one, mind you, but this past one was a blast. I hope you get to attend if only to see the zaniness!
Christine, lemme know if you plan on going to the Fall con. I love me some Paracinema folks! Besides, I'd love to facilitate a Team Ultra-Violent/Team Paracinema meet-up if possible.
Brian, thank you for the ID! I'll update this post with the proper name for this gent. I'm sorry I didn't know who he was or I'd have shaken his hand. You've mentioned those Cult Cons before, and I am envious to the point of greenness at your having attended. If I was as passionate about that brand of weird cinema at the time, I'd have hitchhiked to upstate NY in order to attend. Sounds like those shows would've blossomed in today's internet/blogging universe. Shame, that!
Jeremy, I wish you'd been there too! I'd have loved to buy you a frosty beverage of your choice :)
Zanti, I typically miss panels too! It just helps that my buddy Art hosts them and keeps me honest as a result.
You're welcome, Geoff! B and I always enjoy your presentations a great deal. Besides, you're a fellow Gorilla Grod fan--how can I not give you a shout out?
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