Tuesday 27 January 2009

Naked Rashomon

A quick post to show you the front and back covers for Naked Rashomon - maybe the best pink film we've seen at Mondo Towers... Click on the images to enlarge and read the release specs on the back cover.


Monday 26 January 2009

Jean Rollin – MOTEURCOUPEZ!

As the years go by, it becomes ever more obvious that French film maker Jean Rollin is one of the true heroes, not only of “film fantastique” but of independent cinema itself. For any readers who’ve just arrived from Mars, a brief résumé: Born in Paris, France, 1938; began to make shorts in the 1950’s and his first full length feature (Le Viol du vampire) in 1967. It opened in Paris in May 1968, in the middle of the street riots that almost toppled the French government. In such turbulent times the film’s freewheeling “anarchic” spirit achieved great notoriety, dividing audiences and critics, as have all his subsequent works. Often described as a makers of horror films, Rollin’s movies actually defy any simple categorisation. This refusal of his work to conform to genre expectations has caused him many difficulties over the years. But he has never compromised and continues to plough his own gloriously crooked furrow.



To date, Rollin has made some 18 movies, all under conditions of extreme pressure, all on budgets more normal for a short film than a feature. Battling poor health, commercial indifference and critical incomprehension, Rollin has never given up. His films all share the same faith in the power both of cinema and of the fantastic in all its forms. He has also written 18 books to date that explore the same territory as his films. Initially reviled in his home country, Rollin has, in recent years, come to be seen as something of an inspiration for all those who wish to kick against the pricks of an industry that has become increasingly corporate and fiercely competitive.

This month (January ’09) sees the long awaited publication of Rollin’s autobiography, MoteurCoupez! (get it from Amazon France here)



MoteurCoupez! is, like his films, a unique and personal work. Anyone hoping for a straightforward A-Z of his life and times will be disappointed. What you do get is much more interesting: a fascinating and illuminating guide to the world of Jean Rollin and all who have passed through it. Reading the book is like listening to Rollin talk – he takes you on a voyage and you never want it to end. Packed full of anecdotes, illuminating insights and detours into matters literary, artistic and cinematic, the book is a treasure trove. What emerges above all, is the incredible warmth and generosity of the man. Although he has ample opportunity, he never sinks into bitterness or despair. He has a vision; that’s what keeps him going and that’s what shines through everything he does. How many film makers today can say that in all honesty?



The book is in French, and is perhaps unlikely to be available in English. However, translations of lengthy sections of the work have already appeared in the booklets accompanying the Encore special edition DVD releases of Rollin’s films. These are highly recommended and Xploited cinema is now offering them at a great discount. Get them while you can!

Friday 23 January 2009

Forget Slumdog - here's the real action from India!

As the world goes into MumbaiMania over Slumdog Millionaire... here at Mondo HQ we'd like to re-address the cinematic balance for a moment. We've a frenzy of BollyHorror coming over the next few months with two double bills from The Ramsay Brothers studio - The Bollywood Horror Collection: Volumes 2 & 3!

Volume 2 kicks off with Veerana (maybe our favourite) and Purani Haveli - here's the cover....



Streets end March

and Volume 3 - well.... you did want to see the Bollywood Elm Street?





Streets end May 08

Monday 19 January 2009

Vimeo/YouTube - Wassup?

I've been banging on about Vimeo to people for a while now- "its like youtube but great quality..." etc etc It was all going so well until I got this electronic missive from the good (sic) folks at Vimeo...

Dear Mondo Macabro:

The following videos have been removed from Vimeo because they violate our Upload Rules:

http://www.vimeo.com/2351826
http://www.vimeo.com/2453533
http://www.vimeo.com/2543115
http://www.vimeo.com/2817237
http://www.vimeo.com/2830685

Vimeo does not allow TV shows, movie trailers, stuff you found on the web, or any other video you did not create yourself. "I have permission from the creator" does not count as making it.

If you believe this was an error, please send a civil response to this email and we will work with you, assuming you are correct.

Regards,
Vimeo

Well..hey...guess what - we DO own the copyright or have permission for every image we post on Vimeo and YouTube - call me old fashioned but wouldn't it make more sense for them to check first before they remove all our footage?

Anyway - as usual - that's what happens when you dance with the corporate world... so - we're getting our own flash player sorted and all the footage will be back in the next few days - without any corporate branding and just how we and you want it....

urghhh

Wednesday 14 January 2009

Mondo Macabro: The Interview Vaults - Episode 1 - The Conductor of the Bizarre!

Over the years we've interviewed a lot of folks here at Mondo HQ - and now we're delving into the vaults to bring you some footage that's never seen the light of day - The Interview Vaults is an ongoing series of snippets, clips, facts and fictions from some of the cult movie worlds brightest stars.....

Episode 1: Mel Welles



Cult hero Mel Welles (in what was possibly his last filmed interview) talks about his friend Lord Buckley - the hip talking monarch of cool.



Buckley was an extraordinary figure - light years ahead of his time - and Welles was his greatest friend... as his testimony to the great man reveals....


Mondo Macabro - Interview Vaults Episode 1 - Mel Welles on Lord Buckley from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

More Buckleymania via YouTube





Keep tuned for episode 2!

Tuesday 13 January 2009

Spectacular Films

From the early sixties through to the early 90's, cult movie legend Dick Randall's Spectacular Trading produced hundreds of movies... from the sublime to the ridiculous. Any guy that gave the world Weng Weng & Clones of Bruce Lee is alright by us.



The company is now back with a bang and to celebrate here's a promo of some of their finest moments - a special prize for anyone who can name all the movies!


Spectacular Films Promo from Mondo Macabro on Vimeo.

Thursday 1 January 2009

The Living Corpse - exhumed!



Here's the great painted poster that will accompany the essay "Becoming-Death: The Lollywood Gothic of Khwaja Sarfraz’s Zinda Laash" co-authored by Summer Pervez and Sean Moreland in the collection Draculas, Vampires and Other Undead Forms: Essays on Gender, Race and Culture. Ed. John Edgar Browning and Caroline Joan (Kay) Picart. Guest Introduction David J. Skal. To be published some time in 2009 by Scarecrow Press. Details here



For those who don't know, Zinda Laash (The Living Corpse) is a great little slice of Pakistani gothic cinema from 1967. It was the first film ever to be rated X (adults only) on its original release in Pakistan. We saved the film from destruction and restored it for a DVD release that was one of Fangoria's top ten discs in the year of its release. The film was so rare that it was not mentioned in even the most exhaustive studies of vampire movies. Anyone who has an interest in the Dracula saga, or in vampire films generally, should check this one out here.