We invited filmmakers to share with us materials which are documenting the creation of their films and which, in one way or the other, were important in that process: images, paintings or newspaper articles, shotlists, script pages, notes, setphotos, storyboards, quotes, encounters, all kinds of inspirations.
Ten years after his acclaimed short film BUFFALO JUGGALOS (2014), Scott Cummings delves into the community of the “Church of Satan” in his feature film debut REALM OF SATAN and turns their views, rituals and everyday life inside out. The result is an incredibly sensitive, densely atmospheric, aesthetically unique - and humorous - insight into a very special group of outsiders.
Here he sent us some of his recordings:
PERSONAL ETHOS
this is an evolving credo I apply to all of my films in this mode.
- Respect the participants as humans, artists and equals.
- Make new images. Image and form over information.
- Evade narrative. Confound. Obfuscate.
- Embrace exploitation - then push everything one step further.
- Ignore the word “problematic.” It’s cowardice described as criticism. - Erase irony. Seek sincerity.
- Align our ideologies.
- Give as much as you get.
- Give yourself up. Assimilate. Participate. Effect. Flies on the wall are meant to be swatted. - They give you the tools. Use them.
- We are all creators and collaborators. Respect and seriously consider all participant ideas, concerns and suggestions.
- Find beauty in everything they do.
(...)
SCENE - GOAT TO MAN TRANSFORMATION (folder 2)
REALM OF SATAN features a goat prominent - at one point the goat becomes a man - the High Priest of the Church of Satan Peter H. Gilmore. I wanted the shot to feel handmade and old fashioned, but the real idea came from a theatrical viewing of Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein. In the scene, Lon Cheney transforms from human into werewolf as he sleeps. There was something I loved deeply about this simple special effect, which seemed to just be an incredibly long cross dissolve... And I came to find out that Peter H. Gilmore, my collaborator on this scene, loved it as well.
My cinematographer (note: Gerald Kerkletz) and I set about deconstructing it - it was more complicated than at first look. Cheney must have sat in the chair for hours as make up artists slowly applied bits of makeup and shot the progression in stages.
GENERAL INSPIRATION (some few examples)
films, art, Church of Satan historical image:
REALM OF SATAN
Scott Cummings | US 2024 | 80 min | OV w/EN subtitles
Friday, October 25, 2024, 9.15 pm: URANIA
Saturday, October 26, 2024, 11.00 pm: STADTKINO IM KÜNSTLERHAUS