Cinema Review: Survival of the Film Freaks is a fascinating look at decades of cult cinema

Survival of the Film Freaks is a documentary exploring the phenomenon of cult film in America and how it endures to the present day. Through interviews with filmmakers and fans, the documentary traces decades of film fanaticism from the era of midnight screenings at the cinema to the present digital age. The viewer learns about the factors that define a cult film and gains an understanding of the cultural significance of these films.

Right when the documentary starts, it points out that cult films have existed from the beginning of the film medium itself. The people who are attracted to cult films are those who do not see themselves in the big budget mainstream box office films. Films that become cult classics are typically independent efforts with modest budgets. Because of that, they often rely on shocking storylines, outlandish action, and special makeup effects as a way to stand out in the crowded landscape of movies.

The documentary examines changes in technology, and how these changes have made a profound impact on cult film. When the VHS format was launched and video stores proliferated, a new market was created for independent filmmakers to distribute their work. Consumers could browse the video store shelves and discover cult films based on the attractive VHS cover art. Meanwhile, in the early days of cable television, networks such as HBO and USA often ran cult movies because they needed low-cost programming to attract viewers and grow. In the 1990s, DVD ushered in a new era of quality. The extra features included on DVDs allowed consumers to learn more about their favorite films and become more endeared to them.

Many industry insiders are interviewed in this documentary, and they bring interesting points of view to the subject matter. For example, Ted Raimi points out that “…cult films are history and it takes effort to study history.” When the issue of film piracy is discussed, Lloyd Kaufman contends that the availability of free content on the internet is acceptable because the consumer is giving up something even more valuable than money—his or her time! There are also interviews with William Sachs (director of Van Nuys Boulevard), Greydon Clark (director of Satan’s Cheerleaders), and Adam Green (writer of Hatchet).

This documentary covers an impressive range of cult film styles. Horror, sci-fi, and fantasy are the major categories of cult films. However, they can be further classified into subgenres, such as women in prison and Blaxploitation. Depending on the viewer’s level of expertise, all titles mentioned may be familiar, or some titles may be familiar while others are new discoveries. Regardless, it is fun to see clips of so many cult films put together in one place and arranged so that the similarities are apparent.

Survival of the Film Freaks is not merely a nostalgic walk down cinematic memory lane. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the documentary is that it causes the viewer to feel part of a community of passionate filmmakers and fans. Highly recommended.