Popatopolis

Popatopolis (2009)

Directed By: Clay Westervelt

Review Written By: Justin Bozung
Mondo Film & Video Guide Editor
IMDb.com Link

Finally!  It’s here!  The ultimate documentary about one of my favorite movie people slash film heroes, the Orson Welles of B cinema, Jim Wynorski.  Wynorski was once hailed as the direct continuation of Roger Corman.  Wynorski an amazing filmmaker has directed over 75 films in the last 25 years.  He’s created such amazing unforgettable fair as, Chopping Mall, Return Of Swamp Thing, Sorceress, The Lost Empire, Scream Queen Hot Tub Party, and a personal favorite, the sadly terminally unreleased on DVD, Dinosaur Island.  He’s also churned out sequels, that are WAY better then their originals as, Big Bad Mama 2, 976-Evil 2, and Deathstalker 2. Wynorski, has popped his top into family films as well for Roger Corman, working on Munchie, it’s sequel, and discovering Jennifer Love Hewitt for Little Miss Millions.   Wynorski was the first filmmaker to cast ex porn starlet, Traci Lords as well. Casting her in his AMAZING, cult favorite Corman remake, Not Of This Earth (1988).

Over the last several years, as the B movie industry has more or less disappeared  Wynorski has been working outside of the box, self producing and financing his own little soft core movies that he’s been able to turn huge profits on, by selling to the late night crowds for airing on Cinemax, Showtime, and the Playboy Channel.  He’s a genius in many aspects, and his work and career should be studied among the true masters of filmmaking.  Wynorski makes exploitation films.  If Roger Corman is the Spielberg of exploitation, Wynorski is the George Lucas of exploitation!  I hate it!

Here comes Popatopolis.  A documentary written and directed by Clay Westervelt.  The sixty minute documentary is a behind the scenes look at Wynorski and his “methods.”  The film covers the amazing and unbelievable production on Wynorski’s 2005 soft core feature, The Witches of Breastwick.  Wynorski and two man crew, and four actors, set out to film an entire feature length film for late night Cinemax in three days! Shot on DV, using 2 lights, and even using flashlights and car headlights as lighting sources to simulate “fire”  manage to pull off their efforts in front of Westervelt’s camera.

What’s interesting here again, as shown in Odette Springer’s mis-leading but entertaining documentary “Some Nudity Required”  is Wynorski’s defying directorial style.  He’s a Stalin on set, but a lovable one.   His cast loves him, and hates him at the same time. His crew loathes his methods, but thinks there amazing.   I find Wynorski fascinating to say the least. I’ve been a fan of his work, before I even understood director chic or knew his name.  Popatopolis, is a fake name that Wynorski has used in his career on some of his films. He’s been so clever and funny to use such monikers as, Henry Henri, Harold Blueberry, Jay Andrews, and Tom Popatopolis.  Wynorski has done this, due to his extreme film output and companies complaining that there is too much Wynorski being shown on their pay cable networks!   Quite Hilarious.

Westervelt as filmmaker, does a wonderful job here.  His camera feels very natural, and intimate.  His participants come across as very comfortable on camera and with Westervelt.  One of the very best moments of Popatopolis is the interview with Wynorski’s mother.  It’s here really, where you get the warmest sense that Wynorski, however a cock sucker on set, is really probably just the nicest guy to know in life, simply because of his family up-bringing.  I beg of you.  I can truly appreciate Wynorski’s passion and devotion to the craft, and creation of his art.   I think Wynorski puts it brilliantly in the film by stating that “I’m no Picasso, I’m the guy that paints black velvet paintings of Elvis.”  Indeed.  We here at Mondo would rather own a Black Velvet of Elvis.

Popatopolis is a warm engaging documentary.  Well directed, and of subject matter that is rather rare these days.  It’s a dying art form, that’s severely missed.  The film is a welcome addition to any collection, especially a sick twisted sleazy Wynorski fan, like us.   Popatopolis is the must see documentary of this year.   I don’t hate it.

Justin Bozung is the Co-Founder and Editor of the Mondo Film & Video Guide. You can email him directly at justinb@mondo-video.com