William Lustig

Rebel, outlaw, porn pioneer: FINDING PLANET PORNO tells the story of filmmaker Howard Ziehm, whose MONA THE VIRGIN NYMPH was the first explicit feature film to be distributed in the US in 1970 - at a time when the production of pornography was still illegal. He later made the cult science fiction sex parody FLESH GORDON, whose production was plagued by battles against the law, an acute lack of money and other problems. The documentary approaches Howard's story on a personal level, and through his eyes and those of his companions it paints a thrilling portrait of an unusual person - and a time that brought about great social change. But what is left of it all?

The conclusion to the ‘In Search of Darkness’ '80s trilogy. In this epic final chapter, our focus turns to the straight-to-video horror classics that populated the bottom shelves at the video rental store. Imaginative, gory, experimental—but always entertaining—these hidden gems are ripe for rediscovery.

The shocking true story behind the most outrageous movies of all time and the directors who made them.

An interview with William Lustig about Maniac.

The story behind the rise and fall of New York's 42nd Street. The cinemas, the films, the people, the crime and the rebirth of the block as "New 42nd Street" - this is the document of the world's most notorious movie strip.

This documentary explores the hidden history of the American Exploitation Film. The movie digs deep into this often overlooked category of U.S. cinema and unearths the shameless and occasionally shocking origins of this popular entertainment.

Using testimonies by pioneers and witnesses of the times, delve into the feverish visual culture the media generated – with far-fetched examples of canine television games, seduction manuals, aerobics class while holding a baby, among others.

Documentary on the life and films of Antonio Margheriti.

Behind the scenes documentary on the 2012 film MANIAC directed by Franck Khalfoun.

The first feature-length documentary that fully explores how the toxic social and political Canadian context after 1968 created some of the most nihilistic and imaginative Canadian cult films of the 1970s and 80s and beyond.

Four decades after directing "Maniac" Bill revisits the filming locations to reflect on 1970s New York & his leading man, Joe Spinell.

Documentary about the origins of the song "Maniac".

Final entry in the Bravo scary movie moments countdowns that aired in 2009.

A documentary primarily focusing on the filming and release of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Documentary tracing the rise of the 'slasher' movie.

Legendary director Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment and Creator of the Toxic Avenger, reveals 40 years worth of maverick cinematic know-how in Direct Your Own Damn Movie! Lloyd offers you the magic key to operating outside the film studio system as well as providing you with the roadmap to script writing, pre-production, casting, managing your set, post-production and the secrets of selling you movie!

The Joe Spinell Story is a An outstanding and eye-opening documentary, made in 2001 for the Anchor Bay DVD release of Maniac (1980). His most notable roles were as mafioso Willi Cicci in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, and as loan shark Tony Gazzo in Rocky and Rocky II. Although primarily known as a character actor, Spinell co-wrote and starred as a serial killer in the 1980 film, Maniac.

This thirty minute documentary features interviews with Giovinazzo's key contemporaries discussing the continued impact and influence of Combat Shock twenty-five years later.

Documentary that explores Argento's film career.

Ash, a handsome, shotgun-toting, chainsaw-armed department store clerk, is time warped backwards into England's Dark Ages, where he romances a beauty and faces legions of the undead.

Dr. Peyton Westlake is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love.

Dr. Herbert East is working in his uncle's clinic and experimenting with brain transplants.

A roller-coaster ride through the history of American exploitation films, ranging from Roger Corman's sci-fi and horror monster movies, 1960s beach movies, H.G. Lewis' gore-fests, William Castle's schlocky theatrical gimmicks, to 1970s blaxploitation, pre-"Deep Throat" sex tease films, Russ Meyer's bosom-heavy masterpieces, etc, etc. Over 25 interviews of the greatest purveyors of weird films of all kind from 1940 to 1975. Illustrated with dozens of films clips, trailers, extra footage, etc. This documentary as a shorter companion piece focusing on exploitation king David F. Friedman.

A killer dressed in a police uniform begins murdering innocent people on the streets of New York City.

Two Los Angeles police detectives hunt for a serial killer who randomly chooses his victims from a phone directory.

New York City factory worker Eddie Marino is a solid citizen and regular guy, until the day a sadistic street gang brutally assaults his wife and murders his child. When a corrupt judge sets the thugs free, he goes berserk and vows revenge.

A psychotic man, troubled by his childhood abuse, kills and mutilates young women and local models on the streets of New York City.

A father who experiments with his son's psychokinetic powers is unaware that these experiments have released a demon from hell which lives in his son's closet, preparing to take over the young boy's soul.