Some of the most distinctive and beloved works of cinema exist well apart from the mainstream. Often called cult or underground, these films comprise a subculture of hidden gems and alternative classics that often challenge the norms of art and entertainment. The new monthly series Disreputable Cinema will celebrate unusual films that both exemplify and challenge various notions of genre, from grindhouse manifestos to foreign fringe frenzies to bold new re-imaginings and mashups. Resistance to mainstream acceptance or approval remains part of the appeal for these works of disreputable cinema, yet the series aims to welcome both fans and discoverers, the diehards and the curious.
Organized by guest curators Jesse Berberich and Justin Rodriguez.
Dir. Sam Raimi. 1981, 85 mins. 35mm. With Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss. A group of friends come together for what they think will be an evening of fun, and possible romance, until they discover the tome known as the Necronomicon and unleash an unspeakable, ancient evil. It is a tried-and-true horror setup: reckless teenagers venture into a cabin in the woods and never come back out. A true cult classic in every sense, The Evil Dead was given the dreaded NC-17 rating upon release in 1981, and panned by critics for being uninspired, and at worst, too grisly and gruesome for public viewing. However, a rabid following of fans of the film, including author Stephen King, soon grew. It was their championing of this small, DIY production that launched the careers of director, Sam Raimi (the Spider-Man Trilogy) and lead star, Bruce Campbell (Burn Notice), and elevated this first landmark film into the stuff of legend.
“You thought those were zombies in Night of the Living Dead? Excuse me while I go buy you a copy of Richard Simmons Sings the Frank Stallone Songbook.” Joe Bob Briggs, Drive-In Theater.