Andrea Juno Books

The first and still the best guide to alternative cinema, this book can be read in-depth or flipped through for quick inspiration. Either way, Incredibly Strange Films is a functional guide to overlooked film territory. Featuring meaty interviews focusing on philosophy, illuminating anecdotes, and plenty of images of movie stills, lobby cutouts, promotional posters, pull-quotes, and photos of filmmakers in their environments, this book is one-stop shopping for alternative film buffs. Also included are source interviews with directors, favorite films lists, essays, quotations, bibliographies, filmographies, film synopses, and much more. Interviews include Herschell Gordon Lewis, Ray Dennis Steckler, Ted V. Mikels, Doris Wishman, Russ Meyer, Joe Sarno, Larry Cohen, David Friedman, Frank Henenlotter, Dick Bakalyan, and Carolyn Brandt. Biker films, Mondo films, sexploitation, educational, and industrial jeopardy films are all given enlightening and respectful consideration. This indispensable reference book even has invaluable advice for wannabe filmmakers.

In this illustrated, interview-format volume, 16 women performance artists animatedly address the volatile issues of male domination, feminism, race and denial. Among the modern warriors here are Diamanda Galás, a composer of ritualistic "plague masses" about AIDS who refuses to tolerate pity or weakness; Lydia Lunch, a self-described "instigator" who explains that her graphic portrayals of exploitation stem from her victimization as a child; and Wanda Coleman, a poet who rages against racism and ignorance. Goddess worshipper and former porn star Annie Sprinkle enthusiastically promotes positive sexual attitudes; bell hooks eloquently discusses societal power structures in terms of race and gender; Holly Hughes, Sapphire and Susie Bright expound on lesbianism and oppression; pro-choice advocates Suzy Kerr and Dianne Malley describe their struggles for reproductive rights. Incendiary opinions of current issues such as the Gulf War and censorship and frequent allusions to empowering art and literature make this an excellent reference source. These informed discussions arm readers verbally, philosophically and behaviorally and provide uncompromising role models for women actively seeking change.