In November, Saco told me via email: Pete Walker is one of those overlooked and forgotten directors, which is a shame as the amount of work and energy he pumped in the exploitation film world is nearly unparalleled. Through the late 60s & 70s, he was the British genre auteur, a forerunner of Carpenter and Craven. But were so focused on the US and European genre output, we often forget that in the UKs, the Soho screens were boiling with Britains very own special brand of terror Brit Grot, sleazy, at times uncomfortable, but always bleak, and the establishment was to blame.
Walker covers his career, its content and the context of it all throughout his 40+ minutes with Rigby. Its a warm, in-depth talk with an undervalued filmmaker, whose films are thankfully easily accessible via Kino home video releases and Netflix Instant. Enjoy!
For more on Cigarette Burns Cinema, visit the official site. Saco tells me the new year will bring the first and only UK screening of Franco’s Venus in Fur, from an imported 35mm.
