It’s such a delicious word: devious.
And devious indeed is the evil mastermind talent of Matthew Saliba, a hot upcoming film director of a chockfull of sado-erotic film horrors.
Last night I had the pleasure of viewing a retrospective of six of Saliba’s films, which were part of the brand-spanking new
Mascara & Popcorn Film Festival, a unique, experimental, alternative film festival and film happening in the Montreal area.
I was delighted to meet both Matthew Saliba and Florence T., one of Mascara & Popcorn’s founders and bright lights.
It’s quite a rare treat to see kinky films on the big screen in town and I was really looking forward to seeing not one but six kinky wonders in a row at the quirky, funky fun Mainline Theatre venue.
Expectations? I had none. But even so I was surprised where this sinematic experience brought me, because of the yes – devious - twists and turns of these Saliba gleefully-wicked creations.
I found myself viewing the films with a kind of double perspective: from the perspective of the long-time film aficionado who appreciated the different hommages to genres in Saliba’s films, and also from the kinkster perspective, of one who was evaluating the BDSM content of each film. I was happily satisfied on both levels and found myself craving more. More, more more, like the refrain from the Rocky Horror experience.
1. THE MANIPULATOR AND THE SUBSERVIENT (2003) - 11 mins
Saliba’s first film and first film of the night offered an interesting byplay and switching of the roles of dominant and submissive roles. I thoroughly enjoyed the acting talents of the two older actors, who would show up in more of Saliba’s films.
2. PANDORA'S PARADOX (2004) - 24 mins
I found PANDORA'S PARADOX to be the most disturbing of Saliba’s films. The irony of it was that I found the two most BDSM scenes, strange takes on electro/breath play and puppy play, to be the most normal parts of the films, the parts I could most easily relate to. In those scenes Saliba took some basic BDSM elements and took them to some absurd universe that was kind of fun to visit. :) And I wondered just where did he find that cone-like device? lol
Why I was so disturbed was actually through the B Movie horror element of these bizarre big/small thumbs slash penis-like alien creatures. The Big Thumb’s lusty cries and visual weirdness made me
squeamish. Yes, this enigmatically kinky blogger with deep sadomasochistic tendencies, felt queasy from looking at and hearing This Thing. It was just so….
squirmy.
My odd squeamishness is why although I enjoyed David Cronenberg’s Scanners, I would never enjoy watching his Naked Lunch.
Which is not to say the alien thumb/penis thing was not well-done. It was and I am sure horror film buffs would appreciate it, in all its gory splendor.
3. SHE WAS ASKING FOR IT (2007) - 12 mins
It was a true shame that there were technical difficulties with the showing of SHE WAS ASKING FOR IT that brought the film to an early end.
The still photography was visually stunning, with a gorgeous treatment of light and atmosphere. Each shot perfectly framed eye candy that left me craving more.
And with this film we were firmly and beautifully in the deep lovely heart of BDSM territory and it made my kinky heart sing. I wanted to see the full story unfold, even with being told the end by Saliba when they had to stop the film. Perhaps another time.
4. VAMPYROS LESBOS (2008) - 20 mins
VAMPYROS LESBOS made me flash back to a really fun B (well more like F) Vampire film festival at the Cinema du Parc, that I had seen years ago. The films were ultra-cheesy 70s vampire flicks that had the audience roaring with laughter. When Saliba explained that the inspiration for his film came from a film with the same name from the 70s, I thought that perhaps that film came from the same school of thought.
VAMPYROS LESBOS was fun. Sensual naked vampire lesbians and a wonderfully wicked revenge. Who could ask for more?
5. DARK LOTUS (2009) - 14 mins
DARK LOTUS (2009) was pure stylistic genius. Every artistic element was exquisitely captured – hair, makeup, photography, fashion, light, and evocative expression.
The mobsters in it reminded me of the mobsters in
Muholland Drive, not only my all-time favorite David Lynch movie but perhaps one of my all-time favorite movies of all-time. Period.
Oh and there was an extra special treat for Montrealers. The beautiful spiderweb ropework done by the very talented
Dunter, rope rigger extraordinaire, who is very well known in our local BDSM scene. I’ve always wanted to attend one of his rope workshops. To see the darkly beautiful Lotus (the sublime Black Widow) crawling across that beautiful rope spiderweb was enchanting.
6. AMY'S IN THE ATTIC (2011) - 23 mins
And then there was the last dark treat of the night: AMY'S IN THE ATTIC, Saliba’s first film with dialogue. Done in that wonderful Italian Cinema Exploitation style, that film genre that is so delightfully schlocky and hilarious, it was really groovy, baby!
They say beware what you wish for because the gods may punish you by making your wish come true. And so Amy found out the hard way. Such tasty punishment for the viewers, though!
Oh and the “Alucard”, “Dracula” backwards, for the name of the villain of the piece. That was a nice touch.
All in all, a tasty film treat, was this Mascara & Popcorn and Saliba retrospective combo.
My final impression was that Matthew Saliba is both a talented actor and director and I will be happy to look out for his future film projects.
A great double Q & A session rounded off a nice kinky night.
For more on Matthew Saliba:
http://twitter.com/sinemasalibahttp://www.facebook.com/sinema.salibahttp://www.myspace.com/matthewsalibaFor more on Mascara & Popcorn:
MASCARA AND POPCORN’s Art and Film Festival
From July 4th to July 11th 2011
http://mascara-popcorn.com/Kinky kisses,
Angel :)
***July 29 update:
For more on Matthew Saliba and Mascara & Popcorn,
read my very good friend Mystress Lady Evyl's kinkalicious interview with
Matthew Saliba:
Want Sado-Erotic Horror Movies? Yes please!
Films by Matthew Saliba » Mystress Lady Evyl
Posts
