Electric Sheep podcast: Terry Gilliam and Ted Kotcheff, The Fright Theorem

Alex Fitch talks to Ted Kotcheff, the director of a ‘lost’ cult classic – Wake in Fright (1971) – and to Terry Gilliam, director of another cult title in the making, The Zero Theorum (2014). Fitch and Kotcheff discuss how Wake was recovered by its editor, how it depicts issues of masculinity in crisis and has an unreliable narrator. Gilliam, in an extract from the London Film Festival Q and A, talks about how his new film responds to issues of NSA spying, continues his strand of casting actors against type, and represents a ‘full fat’ viewing experience!

Stills from Wake in Fright and The Zero Theorem

Visit www.archive.org, for more info + formats to stream / download.

Links: Wikipedia pages on Wake in Fright and The Zero Theorem
Electric Sheep Magazine reviews of Wake in Fright and The Zero Theorem
Official Wake in Fright and The Zero Theorem websites

Recommended events:

Mystery Science Theatre 3000 at SCI-FI-LONDON

The MST3K all nighter is a regular attraction of SCI-FI-LONDON (The London International Science Fiction and Fantastic Film Festival), and this year the festival would like to bring along two of the actors from the series to ‘riff’ in person at the film screenings. Dr. Forrester and Frank’s appearance will hopefully be funded by an indiegog campaign where you can also purchase a signed Cinematic Titanic DVD by the duo.

More info here / festival website Continue reading →

Electric Sheep podcast: Terry Gilliam and Ted Kotcheff, The Fright Theorem [ 34:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Electric Sheep Magazine podcast: Brian Yuzna and the horror of Society

Electric Sheep Magazine assistant editor Alex Fitch talks to film maker Brian Yuzna about his work, from his memorable debut as producer of Stuart Gordon’s Re-animator, his underrated satire of 1980s American preppy culture Society and later career making sequels to such franchises as Return of the Living Dead and Silent Night, Deadly Night. Recorded at the University of Brighton, Spring 2013, in conjunction with Cine-Excess Festival.

Four films by Brian Yuzna

Cine-Excess VII is taking place at Birmingham MAC from 15th-17th November with guests including French filmmaker Catherine Breillat (Romance / Anatomy of Hell) and Italian auteur Francesco Barilli (The Perfume of the Lady in Black / Pensione paura)

Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download. Continue reading →

Electric Sheep Magazine podcast: Brian Yuzna and the horror of Society [ 31:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I’m ready for my close-up: Spike Lee on crowdfunding

In a special episode of I’m ready for my close-up, Alex Fitch talks to American film maker Spike Lee about his Kickstarter campaign to fund a new movie about ‘blood addiction’ (which ends on August 21st). They also discuss his forthcoming remake of Park Chan-Wook’s Oldboy, Lee’s thoughts on blaxplotation films such as Blacula and the director’s continuing enjoyment of being a film tutor.

Originally broadcast: Friday 16th August 2013, Resonance 104.4 FM (London)

Still of Spike Lee from Kickstarter campaign video + an example of what his new film is not about

Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download.

Links: Spike Lee Kickstarter campaign
40 Acres Filmworks website
Listen to Alex’s interview with original Oldboy director Park Chan Wook

Recommended Events:

Caption Festival, Oxford

The longest running British comic book festival, now in its 21st year returns to the East Oxford Community Centre, off Cowley Road. Guests include Rian Hughes (Dan Dare), Andrzej Klimowski (Stanis?aw Lem’s Robot…), Danusia Schebal (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde graphic novel), Al Davison (Doctor Who comics), Paul Collicutt (The Murder Mile), Vicky Stonebridge (Dogbreath), Karen Rubins (Victoria and Albert Museum comic artist in residence), Ian Rakoff (V & A comics lecturer, writer “The Prisoner: Welcome to Harmony”) and Charles Cutting (The Dream Quest of Randolph Carter), Glenn Fabry (Preacher) and many more.

August 24th / 25th, East Oxford Community Centre, 44 Princes Street, Oxford OX4 1DD

The weekend includes panel discussions, workshops, a book group, quiz and much more. Tickets: £6/day or £10 for the weekend.

More info here: www.caption.org Continue reading →

I'm ready for my close-up: Spike Lee on crowdfunding [ 29:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Electric Sheep Magazine podcast: Reconstructing Nightbreed

To coincide with its tour of America, in a panel discussion recorded in Welwyn Garden City, actors Simon Bamford (Ohnaka) and Nick Vince (Kinski) plus restoration producer Russell Cherrington and restoration editor Jimmy Johnson discuss the reconstruction of the director’s cut of Clive Barker’s Nightbreed, which is being presented at various venues to help fund a high definition print. The panel discuss the edits imposed on Barker by the studio, the disappointment felt by many regarding the bowdlerised version released in 1990 and how with the help of various formats and sources, a reedit of all the existing footage was mounted to restore the film to its original version.

Cast publicity shot from Nightbreed

Nightbreed: the Cabal Cut will be screening in various venues across America during Summer and Autumn 2013, with an additional Australian showing in Melbourne in August. More info at http://www.occupymidian.com/screenings. Originally broadcast 26th July 2013 on Resonance 104.4 FM (London)

Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download.

Links: Occupy Midian website
Info on a new Nightbreed short story collection Continue reading →

Electric Sheep Magazine podcast: Reconstructing Nightbreed [ 35:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Electric Sheep Magazine Podcast: The Last Horror Movie Actor

Ahead of the release of his new film The Seasoning House, Alex Fitch talks to actor Kevin Howarth about his career so far, from his memorable lead role in The Last Horror Movie (2003) to his forthcoming zombie action movie GallowWalkers with Wesley Snipes. Kevin talks about resisting his typecasting as a horror film actor, working as a voice artist on video games and the experiences of working with make-up Paul Hyett on various projects before the latter turned director on The Seasoning House.

Kevin Howarth in The Last Horror Movie, The Seasoning House, GallowWalkers

The Seasoning House is released 21st June 2013 in UK cities by Kaleidoscope Entertainment, more info: www.theseasoninghouse.com

Visit www.archive.org, for more info and formats you can stream / download.

Links: Official film website
Profile on www.rottentomatoes.com Continue reading →

Electric Sheep Magazine Podcast: The Last Horror Movie Actor [ 29:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download