Another World Entertainment to release exclusive BRUNO MATTEI booklet by fave cult writer!

More than a decade ago I wrote a handful of booklets for the Danish video label Another World Entertainment. They still release films on dvd, but sadly they stopped inclosing booklets a long time ago. Here's a wee "news article" that I posted on my En lejemorder ser tilbage blog 12 years ago. If this were a film I would call it a mockumentary.

   

From Reuters (Saturday):

STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS: STOP PRESS:

News in this morning confirm speculations that DVD & blu-ray publisher Another World Entertainment (Denmark) have signed a deal with renowned underground cult personality Jack J of "En Lejemorder Ser Tilbage" blog and "Stay Sick!" fanzine fame for an extraordinary release entitled "Hell of the Living Dead Booklet". A release critics quickly have labeled "Most likely the most important release of 2010".

Another World Entertainment (AWE) will shortly be releasing the Jack J penned mammoth coffee table booklet on Italian master film director Bruno Mattei; a director who is widely recognised by film aficionados and academics alike for his cinematic classics such as SS GIRLS, THE OTHER HELL, ZOMBI 3, HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD and not least his ground breaking masterpiece CRUEL JAWS.

It seems surreal that no major reference book has been published previously but according to AWE part owner and founder, mr Jan Schmidt, the answer is most likely that only few film critics would have dared to put themselves on the line; As mr. Schmidt puts it: "One wrong word about Bruno Mattei and you would have an angry mob on your hands. Thousands of furious Mattei fans ready to tar and feather you."

To the question why he and AWE would risk their necks with this release:

Mr Schmidt: "Well, we knew very well mr Jensen [aka Jack J, Reuters] could pull this off in a grand way. In fact we are convinced he's the ONLY writer who could do this."

A limited edition of the booklet will contain one of maestro Mattei's films; HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD. We asked mr Schmidt why they have chosen to include a DVD with mr J's awesome booklet.

Mr Schmidt: "Well, it's not that we didn't think people would pay $20 for a four page booklet. We are confident most fans would, it's written by Jack J for Christ's sakes! But we just thought it was something the fans would appreciate".

Will you be working with mr J again?

Mr Schmidt: "Haha, you don't throw away a golden goose, now do you! We certainly hope mr J would wish to work with us again. Why would we want to work with anybody else! We've previously tried other writers and they all fall flat in comparison".

Some alleged rumours hint that mr J likes to take his time with his material?

Mr Schmidt: "That may be, but it's certainly not something we view as a problem. We fully understand that different rules apply when you're dealing with an acclaimed underground writer like mr J. We just hope he'll work with us again."

HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD is in stores this coming week.

Reuters (London office)

"Hell of the Living Dead" booklet - brief mentions

AWE's release of HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD with my booklet is out in stores and so far I've seen two reviews (in Danish):

Bookletten er forfattet af gyser-aficionadoen Jack J., der entusiastisk fortæller om Mattei og hans film. Det er interessant læsning skrevet med et glimt i øjet – herligt!
- Kristian Jensen, On-Z.dk

Nu er der vist ikke mange, der vil hævde, at Bruno Mattei var en fremragende filmmager (selv om Jack Jensen i dvd'ens booklet trods alt giver ham et par skulderklap for at have holdt ud som horror-instruktør - også efter at mange andre italienere i branchen havde givet op).
- Søren Jacobsen, Skræk og Rædsel

For the full reviews go here: On-Z.dk and Skræk og Rædsel.

"Hell of the Living Dead" booklet

I've just handed in the text for my next booklet for Another World Entertainment. The film is Bruno Mattei's HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD. Release date in August, 2010. I'm very enthusiastic about having been asked to do this booklet, not least since I'm a big Bruno Mattei fan. Yay! Spiffy!!

"Turkey Shoot" booklet

Another World Entertainment have just released my booklet for TURKEY SHOOT (UK: Blood Camp Thatcher / US: Escape 2000 / Denmark: Fangejagten). As an extra added bonus to accompany the booklet you also get a copy of the film on dvd. Spiffy! 

 

"Turkey Shoot" booklet

My second booklet for Another World Entertainment is for the Aussie cult movie TURKEY SHOOT (UK: Blood Camp Thatcher / US: Escape 2000 / Denmark: Fangejagten). The release is set for September.

"Rats: Night of Terror" booklet

Last year the video company Another World Entertainment (AWE) asked me if I'd write a booklet for their then upcoming DVD release of Bruno Mattei's RATS: NIGHT OF TERROR (org. title: Rats: Notte di Terrore / Danish title: Rats: Nattens terror) and obviously I said yes. 

It was a fun experience to get published to a wider audience than the usual handful of readers in the underground (although nothing beats being an underground writer, of course). AWE don't pay their booklet writers a fee, but they let you pick a handful of DVD's from their catalogue + you get the DVD the booklet is written for.

The DVD came out in March and all together it was a pretty exciting experience. The booklet is 4 pp and has text on the centre spread. Obviously, I decided to write an introduction about the booklet author (i.e. myself). I mean why the hell not! I remember the very first issue I ever read of this world's (or any world's) coolest fanzine Oriental Cinema. The editor of the zine, Damon Foster, said: Don't just sit there and waste away! Try and promote yourself in whatever you do. 

Thanks, Damon. I've always remembered that (by the way, Foster now lives in Arizona where he makes a Satanic TV show about Devil worshipping and dangerous animals which Damon just thinks are cute!). 

Everything that I know about fanzine writing I learnt from reading Oriental Cinema. No kidding! So far I'm the only AWE booklet author who has had an urge to tell the reader who he actually is. I must admit I don't quite understand the other writers and their being happy with this anonymity. Oh well. Their choice I guess.