Writer. Editor. Film Scholar. Script Consultant
I have written an essay for the 88 Films release of Tatsumi Kumashiro's 1973 Woman Hell: Woods Are Wet, part of Nikkatsu's Roman Porno range. Thanks to Jasper Sharp for asking me to write about one of my favourite 1970s adaptations of the Marquis de Sade. For anyone interested in the book I am writing... Continue Reading →
It was a pleasure to contribute to BBC Screenshot on Shock Value, presented by Mark Kermode and Ellen E. Jones. It airs on Friday 9th August at 7:15pm on BBC Radio 4 and will be available on the BBC iPlayer shortly afterwards. Programme listing for Screenshot Shock Value on BBC Radio 4
I loved talking about Walerian Borowczyk's anarchic, playful, lustful Behind Convent Walls for Arrow's limited edition Blu-ray. Big thanks to Kat Ellinger for asking me and to Jonathan Zaurin for being a brilliant partner in crime as always. More info on the Arrow website.
I'll be delivering a paper on Coffin Joe and surrealism at the Cine-Excess conference 'Raising Hell: Demons, Darkness and the Abject' on Wednesday 18th October 2023. Cine-Excess runs from 17th to 27th October 2023 in Birmingham, UK and online. More details on the Cine-Excess website. Pic credit: At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul (José Mojica Marins, 1964)
It was such a pleasure to contribute a video essay on Coffin Joe and demonic surrealism to Arrow's superb limited edition blu-ray set. New restorations, ten films, archival material featuring José Mojica Marins and tons of extras from Stephen Thrower, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Jack Sargeant, Lindsay Hallam and Tim Lucas among others. Co-produced by Kat Ellinger... Continue Reading →
I contributed a video appreciation of Jean Rollin's The Shiver of the Vampires (1971) to Indicator/Powerhouse's beautiful 4K release. Available from the Powerhouse website.
I'm looking forward to introducing Luis Buñuel's The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972), one of the last few films he made, at BFI Southbank tonight. Tickets available on the BFI Southbank website.
ORCHESTRATOR OF STORMS : THE FANTASTIQUE WORLD OF JEAN ROLLIN will have its European premiere at ArrowFrightFest on Friday 26 August 2022 at 3:50pm. There will be a Q&A after the film with the formidable Brigitte Lahaie and me. Directed by Kat Ellinger and Dima Ballin, produced by Kier-and Jonathan Zaurin. Book tickets: http://frightfest.nuwebgroup.com/events/21472
I had the great pleasure to contribute to the unprecedented documentary on Jean Rollin directed by Kat Ellinger and Dima Ballin, which will premiere at the Fantasia Festival on Saturday 16th July. Here's the Fantasia Festival's description of the film by Mitch Davis: Has there been a genre artist more fundamentally misunderstood and inappropriately discussed... Continue Reading →
I reviewed Mark Jenkin's follow-up to Bait for the Sight&Sound website in May 2022. The review was published in the Winter 22-23 issue of the Sight&Sound magazine. An oblique take on 1970s folk horror, Enys Men creates a genuinely haunting experience rooted in the Cornish landscape. Synopsis: A middle-aged woman (Mary Woodvine) lives alone on... Continue Reading →
Virginie Sélavy 