An interview with Flipside's Vic Pratt
Ahead of the launch of the Flipside cult DVD label through the BFI, we talk to Flipside's Vic Pratt about the label, the movies, the cinema events and the future.
1. You've made your name with cult movie events, so why the movie into DVD and Blu-ray releases?
Much as we love the cinema shows - where we're able to show the films on the big screen, and invite special guests who made them or appeared in them - like all cult-movie freaks, we also love home viewing. This way we're hoping that people all over the place will get the chance to see these weird and wonderful British movies that have slipped through the cracks of cinema history!
2. What differentiates Flipside releases from the multitude of other cult movie labels?
We're lavishing loads of love, care and attention on these releases - making sure that the best available film materials are being used in their production - and they're going to be out on both DVD and Blu-ray. And they come with groovy extras - well worth having in their own right - and chunky booklets stuffed with detailed essays, credits, reviews and contemporary promotional materials! What more could you want?
3. The first releases are the London in the Raw, Primitive London and The bed Sitting Room. Why choose those as your opening titles?
PRIMITIVE LONDON is a cracking example of British 'Mondo' and was the first film we ever showed in The Flipside cinema slot. So we're over the moon that this will be available, like its shocking predecessor, LONDON IN THE RAW, on DVD and Blu-ray - we've seen the check disks and they look great! As for THE BED SITTING ROOM, any film directed by Richard Lester and which not only stars the mighty Arthur Lowe but also Rita Tushingham and more Goons than you can shake a stick at is more than OK by us! Incidentally, both Richard Lester and Rita Tushingham will be joining us for a Q & A session when we screen THE BED SITTING ROOM at BFI Southbank on May 21st! Book now!
4. Anything lined up to follow these? I hear Privilege is on the cards?
Yes - PRIVILEGE will be one of the next batch of releases - along with Gerry O'Hara's controversial drama ALL THE RIGHT NOISES and some long-awaited Pete Walker early works: MAN OF VIOLENCE, coupled with another Walker rarity, STRIP POKER!
5. Anything you've tried and failed to get released?
Not yet - but it's early days! Give us time!
6. Do you do requests? I'm after a copy of Goodbye Gemini and just about everyone wants Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush! Or are the releases limited to certain labels?
Just like with the cinema shows, we really are always interested in hearing people's suggestions - and if we think it's a 'goer' - we'll certainly put it forward. But finding decent materials and clearing the rights are the trickiest parts of the whole business, as you might expect...
7. Are your releases going to be movie-only or are you considering some cult TV too?
We're sticking with films to begin with - but there's a lot of great forgotten TV material out there - it's been a very popular part of the shows at BFI Southbank...so we don't rule it out...
8. And finally, does this mean the end of the film events or will the two run side-by-side?
Definitely not the end of the film events! We get a big kick out of seeing films on the big screen, and interviewing our guests, and you can't beat the live cinema experience! So we're hoping that both the film shows and the DVDs will be around for a long while yet...check back in a year's time...and if you'd like us to keep you posted on all things FLIPSIDE become our friend at http://myspace.com/theflipsidepresents
Thanks for your time.
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