Der GEHEIMNISVOLLE FILMCLUB BUIO OMEGA präsentiert

PAUL NASCHY IN GERMANY

When we founded our film club, named after the movie BUIO OMEGA by Italian director Joe D'Amato, in the winter of 1998, we did not foresee where this would lead. We just were happy to show the films we love – mostly European exploitation films – in the cinema we visited as children, where we experienced the long-gone Sunday morning matinees. We thought that if 20 or 30 people would attend our monthly screenings of enjoyable double features, we would call it a success. But more people than expected came to our first meeting in February 1999, and so we got new ideas. Our plan was to collect enough money to invite guests who appeared in or worked on the film we were showing.

In November 1999 our first guest was the Austrian actor Herbert Fux, who is well known internationally for his part in MARK OF THE DEVIL and who did hundreds of films in Europe. He was a great guest, and his appearance was followed in May 2001 by the unbelievable film director/producer Doris Wishman, who came from America to share her memories with us. In the same year we met Paul Naschy at the FESTIVAL OF FANTASTIC FILMS in the British town of Manchester, and we started to think about our third guest of honor. After talking to Paul, his lovely wife Elvira and son Sergio, we were happy to hear that they agreed to be our guests. Wow!  From that point on we began preparations and after several months of work the great day finally came.

Paul, Elvira and son Bruno (Sergio was not able to attend) arrived at Düsseldorf on October 17^TH and we hoped that it would be a great weekend. That evening at dinner we showed Paul some of the old super 8 releases of his films. He never new that these existed and was most pleased with them. The next morning held a surprise for Paul and he was welcomed in the city of Gelsenkirchen by town official Dr. Manfred Beck, who is responsible for culture and sports. The local press was invited and Paul had a great time posing for photos and giving interviews. After that, we all made a little journey to Cologne and gave our guests a tourist menu with German specialties (like a Bratwurst 20 inches long!). Saturday was the big day. Our nice old cinema, the Schauburg Filmpalast, became crowded with nearly 200 people arriving to see the great Paul Naschy in person. After some words by our member of the committee, Sailor Ripley, the prologue of LA NOCHE DE WALPURGIS was shown, followed by a fanfare. Then Paul appeared on stage to except the applause of all who came.

The first film to be shown was LA MARCA DEL HOMBRE LOBO, and Paul introduced the film himself in excellent German. He told some interesting facts and set the mood for the screening.  After this great cinematic experience, Paul was interviewed on stage by our friend and host Christian Kessler, who was well prepared, as always, and made a good team with his interview partner. The entertaining session was followed by another surprise for Paul, when he was rewarded for his work with our special prize, the JOE. And if that was not have been enough, he also got an original Paul Naschy painting done by our club member Thorsten Mette and a werewolf cake that had the face of wolfman on top and bled when cut.  

Naschy being interviewed by Christian Kessler and receiving "Joe" from the Buio Omega Film Club.

With all this positive energy floating towards him, Paul was able to give hundreds of autographs afterwards and was responsible for a lot of happy faces. The signing session was followed by the second film, EL JOROBARDO DE LA MORGUE, which was also well received by the crowd. After this, the event was finished and Paul said his thanks on the stage.

For all involved this was a very stressful but great day, made possible by all the fans who support us every month. It was the biggest event our club had yet organized and was the first time that the city of Gelsenkirchen officially took notice of our work, thanks to Paul.  

Top: Naschy signs away. Middle: The Naschy Family: Bruno, Elvira and Paul. Bottom: Bruno enjoys German hospitality and food; Naschy giving a radio interview.

That evening was spent having dinner in a nice castle and the next day brought more tourist activities. It was the first time that Elvira and Bruno had visited Germany and so we prepared a nice program that ended with dinner at a old steel factory that is not producing any more but is kept as an industrial monument with colorful lights giving it a special look at night. When the Naschy family went back to Spain on Monday, we all were very satisfied with the event. It is great to get to know a person you grew up with in a time when home cinema meant a super 8 projector, and to see what a great person he really is under the brown fur when the moon is full.

Our thanks go to all our members and Paul, Elvira and Bruno who shared with us an unforgettable weekend.

-- Ingojira

The Mark of Naschy thanks Ingojira and the Buio Omega Film Club for the above photos and report.

NASCHY IN GERMANY - 2nd report

Boris Brosowski sent in a report of the recent BUIO OMEGA event, with the side photos. In summary, Naschy was greeted by a standing ovation from a crowd of over 200 fans that had gathered in the old cinema of Gelsenkirchen. Naschy spoke fluent German and introduced the original German print of Mark of the Wolfman, shown in 35mm. For Naschy, this was the first time in 20 years that he had seen the film on the big screen. Afterward, Naschy was interviewed by renowned movie critic Christian Kessler on a set made to resemble a cozy living room. Some important, new information was elicited: 1. Naschy said that the print of Mark that was exhibited had been cut by at least 20 minutes - although it was the original German 95 minute print.  2. The German production company was NOT HI-FI Stereo 70, but Alpha Films, Munich. The mistake might be sourced to the credits that state "Produziert in Hifi Stereo 70 mm" which means, of course, that the film was made in that format, not by such a company. 3. Naschy was asked about Jess Franco and said that there never an opportunity to work with him, although Franco had called him a few times to work on new Fu Manchu and Orloff films. Following the interview, there was the signing which took about 1h 30 min and then the projection of  The Hunchback of the Morgue. Naschy said that he was very proud of the movie and was again met with a big applause when he left the stage, truly moved by the event and the affection given him from his German fans. The Mark of Naschy thanks Boris for the above report and the side bar photos.