Edited by: Nico B
Written by: Various
Released by: Cult Epics/SCB Distributors
Released on: February 6, 2018
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Cult Epics' first foray into print publishing, The Art of Rozz Williams: From Christian Death to Death, met with critical acclaim when it was published last year. The company's second exercise in publishing, Cult Epics: Comprehensive Guide to Cult Cinema, continues the class act by acting as both a coffee-table offering—at least, for those with families who aren't offended easily—as well as an introduction to the company's DVD and Blu-ray releases. Edited by Cult Epics founder Nico B, who also provides an introduction detailing his ascent into the world of film and the founding of his company, the hardback book looks much like an oversized museum piece, replete with innumerable b/w and color posters and still images on thick, high-quality, glossy paper. The layout and design are exquisite.
The book began life as part of an online Indiegogo campaign in March 2017, with initial contributors receiving not only the book but also extras such as the Death Laid an Egg Blu-ray and DVD combo. The book was intended as part of the company's 25th anniversary, and what a great way to celebrate!
Cult Epics: Comprehensive Guide to Cult Cinema is divided into sections: Arthouse, Horror, and Erotica, with each section including subsections based on individual filmmakers (Fernando Arrabal, Walerian Borowczyk, Jí¶rg Buttgereit, Tinto Brass, and Radley Metzger) or specific themes (Bettie Page, Vintage Erotic). In addition to the film/DVD/BD reviews, there are also introductions to filmmakers and/or films, as well as interviews with Fernando Arrabal, Walerian Borowczyk, Jí¶rg Buttgereit, and Tinto Brass. The final section is devoted to Nico B and includes subsections about Bunny Yeager and The Claire Sinclair Show.
Un chant d'amour by Michael Den Boer
Black Night/Spiritual Exercises by Nathaniel Thompson
Population: 1 by Michael Den Boer
Here is always somewhere else by Michael Den Boer
Kiss Napoleon Goodbye by Michael Den Boer
Slogan by Mark R. Hasan
W.S. Burroughs in the Dreamachine by Scott Pewenofkit, Jr.
Stay as You Are by Michael Den Boer
Interview with Fernando Arrabal by Ramí³n F. Suí¡rez
Introduction to Viva la Muerte by Rayo Casablanca
Viva la Muerte by Nathaniel Thompson
Introduction to I Will Walk Like a Crazy Horse by Rayo Casablanca
I Will Walk Like a Crazy Horse by Nathaniel Thompson
Introduction to The Guernica Tree by Rayo Casablanca
The Guernica Tree by Mark R. Hasan
The Fernando Arrabal Collection 2 by Nathaniel Thompson
Interview with Walerian Borowczyk by J.P. Sarré & A. Dauman
Introduction to The Beast by Daniel Bird
The Beast by Mark R. Hasan
Introduction to Goto, Island of Love by Rayo Casablanca
Goto, Island of Love by Mark R. Hasan
Introduction to Love Rites by Rayo Casablanca
Love Rites by Mark R. Hasan
Behind Convent Walls by Nathaniel Thompson
Introduction to The Driller Killer by Brad Stevens
The Driller Killer by Mark R. Hasan
Introduction to In a Glass Cage by Stephen Thrower
In a Glass Cage by Nathaniel Thompson
Introduction to Death Bed: The Bed That Eats by Stephen Thrower
Death Bed: The Bed That Eats by Nathaniel Thompson
Cinema of Death by Michael Den Boer
Dead Leaves by Mark R. Hasan
American Gothic by Mark R. Hasan
Manson Family Movies by Mark R. Hasan
Hysteria by Michael Den Boer
Zero Killed by Michael Den Boer
Interview with Gerald Kargl on Angst by Marcus Stiglegger
Angst by Charlie Hobbs
Interview with Jí¶rg Buttgereit on Nekromantik by David Kerekes
Introduction to the Films of Jí¶rg Buttgereit by Matthew Whoolery
Nekromantik by Nathaniel Thompson
Nekromantik 2 by Nathaniel Thompson
Der Todesking by Nathaniel Thompson
Schramm by Nathaniel Thompson
Venus in Furs by Nathaniel Thompson
Maria Beatty Fetish Films by Marcus Stiglegger
School of the Holy Beast by Mark R. Hasan
Viva by Ian Jane
Introduction to Bettie Page Pin Up Queen by Bettie Page
Bettie Page Pin Up Queen by Mark R. Hasan
Introduction to Bettie Page Bondage Queen by Mark R. Hasan
The Irving Klaw Classics Vol. 1-4 by Mark R. Hasan
The Erotic Dances of Bettie Page by Michael Den Boer
The Mysterious M. X by Alexandre Dupouy
Vintage Erotica Anno 1920 by Mark R. Hasan
Vintage Erotica Anno 1930 by Mark R. Hasan
Vintage Erotica Anno 1940 by Mark R. Hasan
Vintage Erotica Anno 1950 by Mark R. Hasan
Vintage Erotica Anno 1960 by Mark R. Hasan
Vintage Erotica Anno 1970 by Mark R. Hasan
Vintage Lesbian Erotica by Mark R. Hasan
American Nudes Vol. 1-3 by Mark R. Hasan
Introduction to the Films of Tinto Brass by Nico B
Interview with Tinto Brass by Nico B
Deadly Sweet by Mark R. Hasan
Attraction by Mark R. Hasan
The Howl by Mark R. Hasan
The Key by Mark R. Hasan
Miranda by Mark R. Hasan
All Ladies Do It by Mark R. Hasan
Frivolous Lola by Mark R. Hasan
The Voyeur by Ian Jane
Cheeky! By Michael Den Boer
Private by Michael Den Boer
Monamour/Kick the Cock by Michael Den Boer
Paprika by Nathaniel Thompson
Introduction by Radley Metzger by Radley Metzger
Radley Metzger's Cinema of Delights by Nathaniel Thompson
Score by Nathaniel Thompson
Lickerish Quartet by Nathaniel Thompson
Camille 2000 by Nathaniel Thompson
Interview with Nico B by Ian Jane
100 Girls by Bunny Yeager by Mark R. Hasan
Pig/1334 by Heather Drain
Gitane Demone: Life After Death by Bill Gibron
The Claire Sinclair Show by Ian Jane
Sin by Heather Drain
The goodness doesn't end with the book and its many and varied articles, however. It also includes a DVD containing trailers or promotional shorts for most of the films covered. A note at the beginning states, “This promotional disc does not necessarily represent the quality of our Blu-ray and DVD releases.†And the quality does indeed vary heavily. The disc begins with a short promotion for Bettie Page Pin Up Queen, then moves into promos or trailers for The Driller Killer, Venus in Furs (1994), The Beast, All Ladies Do It, Pig, The Key, Miranda, Viva la Muerte, The Black Glove, The Elegant Spanking, In a Glass Cage, Death Bed: The Bed That Eats, Frivolous Lola, Bettie Page Dark Angel, American Gothic, School of the Holy Beast, The Guernica Tree, Goto Island of Love, Transgressing, Vintage Erotica Anno 1920, Do It!, Un chant d'amour, Nuit noire, Spiritual Exercises, L'uomo che guarda, Slogan, American Nudes Vol. 1, A Heavenly Melancholy, Population: 1, Here is always somewhere else, Kiss Napoleon Goodbye, The Howl, “the artful penetration of barbara,†Viva, Car Cemetery, Emperor of Peru, Behind Convent Walls, Vintage Lesbian Erotica, Monamour, Kick the Cock, Score, The Lickerish Quartet, Camille 2000, 1334, Hysteria, Zero Killed, Senso 45, The Claire Sinclair Show S8 Bonus, Hot Love, Nekromantik, Nekromantik 2, W.S. Burroughs in the Dreamachine, Stay as You Are, Der Todesking, Angst, Paprika, Schramm, Sin, Exotic Dances of Bettie Page, Mondo Weirdo, Obsessions, The Flesh, Death Laid an Egg, Moon Child, and Frank and Eva. The compilation runs a whopping 2:41:40. There are no chapter breaks between promos/trailers, but this is a small complaint to make about what is essentially a very cool freebie.
The hardcover edition of the book is limited to only 1,000 copies.