Trash and camp both, in their different ways, denote a celebration of cultural objects largely maligned within the mainstream. They do so by violating technical standards or through their excessive qualities. Whilst many consider such violations as failures, a number of cult fans have lauded these qualities and in doing so have challenged prevailing standards of taste. This conference will investigate camp and trash cinema primarily through the work of John Waters, but also with reference to a number of other camp and trash films and filmmakers. Talks will be accompanied by film clips from trash and camp classics!
prog: 1744
squelettes/rubrique-3.html
Camp & Trash Cinema
Articles in this section
Curt McDowell, 1975, US, 16mm,
ov st fr, 120’
One dark and stormy night, a group of odd-ball travellers are stranded in an old prairie mansion and pull themselves together in all kinds of positions. Featuring George Kuchar’s witty and demented dialogue, this 70s underground epic is one of the most unique and utterly bizarre cult films ever.
07.03
> 22:00
5€ / 3,5€
Film show by Jack Stevenson
Jack Stevenson digs to the very bottom of his 16mm archive to choose the most staggering obscure, basely offensive and plague-ridden nuggets of "lost" celluloid that epitomize the concept of trash cinema. Included are two found-footage films made by Stevenson himself — War Movie and the XXX-rated 2069: A Space Odyssey Sure to be an appalling, funny and unforgettable experience, a show so filthy you’ll never be able to wash the dirt off.
08.03
> 20:00
5€ / 3,5€
Russ Meyer, 1975, US, 35mm, ov, 99’
Huge busts, enormous nipples and giant grenades parade across the screen at an unreal tempo. This ultra camp sexploitation classic is replete with satirical and hilarious scenes for fans of double D movies and more!
08.03
> 22:00
5€ / 3,5€
Combi 2 films > 7,5€ / 6€
Doris Wishman, 1974, US, 35mm, ov st fr & nl, 75’
At midnight things get heavy. Chesty Morgan goes after criminals armed with two fatal weapons: voluminous breasts that she uses to smother her victims to death. Seeing is believing!
08.03
> 24:00
5€ / 3,5€
Combi 2 films > 7,5€ / 6€
Presented by Jack Stevenson
In the days before YouTube, you could only see brilliantly insane, no-budget movies from underground filmmakers like the twins George and Mike Kuchar. Shooting friends and family with 8 and 16mm cameras as teenagers, they moved on from the New York underground scene of Andy Warhol and Kenneth Anger to become the twin maestros of B-movies, inspiring directors such as John Waters and David Lynch. Their short films stunned audiences with seedy Hollywood glitz, anything-goes sexuality, out-of-the-world science fiction and prepubescent toilet humor.
The mid 60’s
George and Mike’s first 16mm productions break through to a wider audience, and the brothers are recognized as possessors of a unique style, voice and vision within the context of the New York Underground. Total running time: 81 min
•+ Sins of the Fleshapoids
Mike Kuchar, 1965, US, 16mm, ov, 43’
The story transpires a million years in the future, after "the Great War" has depopulated the earth. Those few humans who have survived have grown lazy and decadent. They dedicate themselves to greedy indulgence in all pleasurable, carnal sensations and leave the work to be done by a race of enslaved robots, the "fleshapoids". With its spirited twist on science fiction conventions, it’s comic book vibe and the way it made ’superstars’ out of non-actors, it figures as the most significant and creatively realized embodiment of the 60s underground ’camp’ aesthetic.
•+ Hold Me While I’m Naked
George Kuchar, 1966, US, 16mm, ov, 15’
The first the first of George Kuchar’s so-called "diarist dramas", this is a playful satire of motion picture making where the fantasy of Hollywood glamour collides with the reality of loneliness in the Bronx.
•+ The Craven Sluck
Mike Kuchar, 1967, US, 16mm, ov, 23’
This film concerns itself with the sordid domestic routines of a typical Bronx married couple, which are suddenly rendered inconsequential by a squadron of attacking UFOs. A gloriously tacky stew of cheap sci-fi and domestic melodrama come to life.
09.03
> 18:00
5€ / 3,5€
The late 60’s and beyond
Mike and George elaborate on some of their original themes and also go in new directions. Total running time: 77 minutes.
•+ Color Me Shameless
George Kuchar, 1967, US, 16mm, ov, 30’
A study of the self-loathing and despair produced by the repression of desires, this film was a psychological exploration of George’s longtime friend, Bob Cowan, who plays a lonely, dysfunctional artist searching vainly for companionship and unable to connect with women or interpret their intentions.
•+ Rockflow
Bob Cowan, 1968, US, 16mm, ov, 9’
A straightforward if experimental fashion/dance/rock document about the opening of a boutique at which the Chambers Brothers rock band played, changes mid-point into a psychedelic nightmare.
•+ Tales of the Bronx
Mike Kuchar, 1969, US, 16mm, ov, 15’
A tribute to Mike’s home town, The Bronx, that oscillates between sexy, sweet and vulgar.
•+ Mongreloid
George Kuchar, 1978, US, 16mm, ov, 13’
A tribute to George’s dog, Bocko, who appeared in so many of the brother’s films and was undoubtedly the best known dog in underground cinema.
•+ How to Chose a Wife
Coll., 1980, US, 16mm, ov, 10’
Since the early 70’s George has taught filmmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute (SAI) where he made a film with every class, once a year. This one can be described as a loose meditation on the rituals of social interaction as dictated by commercial images and religious dogmas.
10.03
> 18:00
5€ / 3,5€
Herschell Gordon Lewis, 1963, US, 35mm, ov, 67’
This first campy, low-budget film by Herschell Gordon Lewis was a shocking drive-in sensation when first released in 1963 and remains a milestone in trash and exploitation to this day.
09.03
> 22:00
5€ / 3,5€
Combi 2 films > 7,5€ / 6€
Joel M. Reed, 1976, US, 35mm, ov, 91’
A filthy trash film shot in the darkest Manhattan basements, where sadistic dwarves relentlessly whip their cannibal sex slaves. Forget bad taste, this is worst taste!
09.03
> 24:00
5€ / 3,5€
Combi 2 films > 7,5€ / 6€
Double bill + Q&A
In 1972 John Waters had his first breakthrough with the drive-in and grindhouse hit Pink Flamingos, followed by the equally original Female Trouble (1974) and Desperate Living (1977), which definitively earned Waters the titles "The Sultan of Sleaze" and "The Pope of Trash". His films reveal a mischievous irreverence for both the sacred and the taboo, an appreciation for the grotesque and great love for all things Americana. With Polyester (1981), Waters’ movies pass from underground to mainstream, losing neither punch nor artistic integrity along the way. He’s best known to the general public for films like Hairspray (1988) and Cry-Baby (1990). His most recent film, A Dirty Shame (2004) goes back to his roots: the underground culture of sex addicts in 1970s suburban Baltimore.
John Waters will do us the honour of presenting this double screening in Nova Cinema.
The Q&A between the films will be moderated by Jack Stevenson.
Attention: entrance only possible for the whole program (ticketsale from 6pm).
20:00 : "Pink Flamingos" followed by a Q&A ; around 22:00 : "Desperate Living"
10.03
> 20:00
Combi 2 films > 7,5€ / 6€
John Waters, 1972, US, 35mm, ov, 93’
Divine is Babs Johnson, "The Filthiest Person Alive". But when she has to compete against a couple with even more wretched habits, a battle ensues to keep the title. A shocking and hilarious climax of bad taste.
John Waters, 1977, US, 35mm, ov, 90’
On the run after killing her husband, a delusional housewife hides out in a shantytown populated by lunatics and ruled by the powerfully horny Queen Carlotta and her army of boy-toys.
Mike Hodges, 1980, GB-US, 35mm, ov st fr & nl, 111’
Flash Gordon bats his blonde eyelashes and vaults into outer space to battle Ming the Merciless, despotic ruler of the planet Mongo. Kitschy production design, outlandish costumes, utterly daft dialogue and an unforgettably pulsating soundtrack by Queen: a pure candy-colored campfest.
15.03
> 22:00
5€ / 3,5€
Combi 2 films > 7,5€ / 6€
Edward Berns, 1958, US, 16mm, ov, 80’
Male astronauts crash-land on Venus (what else?) only to find a planet populated by women with miniskirts, high heels and ray guns. Amongst them, 50’s celebrity star Zsa Zsa Gabor. With sets and costumes recycled from other scifi films (Forbidden Planet, anyone?), this is a mile stone in camp.
15.03
> 24:00
5€ / 3,5€
Combi 2 films > 7,5€ / 6€
A nostalgic trip back to the Golden Age of cinema: the Sunday afternoon Matinee screening for all ages. Welcomed by old school hostesses and surprised by gimmicks, treat yourself to ice cream and vintage fifties extravaganza in glorious Cinemascope and De Luxe color!
In collaboration with La rétine de Plateau
•+ The Girl Can’t Help It
Frank Tashlin, 1956, US, 35mm, ov st fr & nl, 99’
Jayne Mansfield stars in the very first Hollywood rock’n’roll musical, which feels like a live action version of a Tex Avery cartoon. This colourful and funny camp satire features legendary appearances from the likes of Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.
17.03
> 14:00
5€ / 3,5€
Ed Wood, 1953, US, 35mm, ov, 68’
The directorial debut of the incomparable Edward Wood Jr. and also his weirdest film, which goes beyond camp into a unique zone of demented personal expression. Wood himself plays a transvestite with a particular fondness for angora sweaters. Mind-boggling!
17.03
> 22:00
5€ / 3,5€
lang: en
id_rubrique: 1751
prog: 1744
pos: aval
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