Want Sado-Erotic Horror Movies? Yes please! Films by Matthew Saliba

One day, not so long ago, I received a Facebook invite to an event by my dear friend, the Enigmatic Angel. It was a Sinema Saliba Retrospective at a tiny theater space, both completely unknown to me. However it promised a night of sado-erotic horror viewing and I love getting myself into new and crazy adventures. We arrived at a very eclectic theater on one of the summer’s hottest days…and there was no air conditioning. At this point I am thinking what the hell did I get myself into. Time to be a trooper.

The evening was part of the Mascara and Popcorn Festival and 6 shorts were on the big screen menu… well actually 5 1/2. It was so hot in the room the laptop was frying, making the 3rd movie of the night skip and freeze. A laptop cool down session was necessary but this gave us a unique opportunity to have 2 Q&A sessions with the film maker Matthew Saliba. We never got to see the rest of the 3rd film (the first of 4 shorts that were full on BDSM) which depicted a man being seduced and then forced into submission by two dominant females. This submissive was played by Saliba himself and I realized quite quickly he was not just acting…he was flying, totally in subspace.

This Saliba was no kink pretender, he knew exactly how to treat this subject because he was personally involved in it. My curiosity was suddenly 10 fold. How brilliant would it be to interview him for the Lady Evyl blog? Once the evening ended, as the crowd thinned following many congratulations and handshakes, I introduced myself right away as Mistress and suggested my idea for a film maker/bdsm interview. Matthew was thrilled at the idea and about 2 weeks later we scheduled a meeting; it was a wonderful 2 hours filled with stories, anecdotes, bdsm talk and much more. I know it is a terribly long intro but I am so proud to share with you now my interview with this both budding and accomplished talent, Matthew Saliba.

When did you start making films?
As a kid I would do stories and scenes with my toys such as my Godzilla and Teenage Mutant Turtles toys. At a later age I realized I enjoyed public speaking and had a knack for it, so I took acting classes in school as well. This was all getting me interested in the movie making process. My first film actually was the result of a class project in my economics class in high school. Every team had to come up with a product or idea to sell and my team chose to do a trailer for a horror movie, I wrote and directed the film. That is when the concept of “writing with images” really developed in my mind. At university I studied in Communications, especially the film classes. What I would consider my first professional film, although I was still in school, was The Manipulator and the Subservient, done in 2003. It got recognition and was nominated for awards. From there I got an agent and did a few acting gigs.

What is your favorite part of the process while making a film?
Definitely the promoting aspect. I love answering Q&As, doing interviews and participating in the festival circuit. Yes I am a “social slut”. I also like the part when I come up with the idea for future film projects. Finally I always enjoy the audition process because that is the moment when my written words start taking on a real life.

When do story ideas usually hit you?
My ideas for scenes often come to me in my sleep. I really dream a lot. Meditation has always been a very inspiring moment as well. Another great activity that gets my ideas rolling is when I go for a walk. Also I never bring a music player with me when I commute, I rather watch and listen to people. This can be a source for ideas too.

How do you feel watching yourself on film?
My first reaction is usually “I have a gut” lol. At first when I started acting I was very shy when I saw myself on a screen but with time I got used to it. I am actually much more nervous when I play a role in other people’s movies.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I would love to be working on my 3rd long feature film at that point. There are 3 types of movies I really want to make: a western, a film for children and a musical (keep me in mind Matthew, I love to sing). I do not want film making to be my full time job. I already have an editing job in the industry. For me making films is a hobby, I am afraid if I depend on it for my bread and butter it will become an obligation.

What is the best reaction an audience can give you after seeing one of your films?
The best was in 2007 at a quirky festival, the Wreck-Beach International Film Festival, where the films are project outdoors with a drive-in feeling to it. I was presenting She Was Asking for It. The audience spoke the whole evening throughout the films and I apprehended they would talk right through my film, it really angered me. The audience was chatting away when my film began but as soon as the big red dildo scene started everyone went quiet and they were glued to the screen till the end of my film. Another time I was flattered was during a showing of Vampyros Lesbos. Kitty Daly’s (Countess Nadine) mother attended the opening and at the end she complimented me saying how beautiful and sensual she found it. One would not expect a mother to see past the sensationalism of SM.

What are your top 3 favorite movies?
- 2001: A  Space Odyssey
- Mulholland Dr.
- Taxi Driver

You have a very special style of filming, how would you describe it?
Sado-erotic horror movies. The horror aspect is to exploit, especially in the context of consensual erotic scenes. My favorite author, Clive Barker has made some SM erotica horror flicks I enjoy, as well as Jess Franco exploitation films, such as his original version of Vampyros Lesbos.

Do you see a link with your style of filming and the BDSM life?
Definitely in my still trilogy. The horror caters to the genre, and I try to show that violence is not related to the SM part, but rather shows SM as a sensual thing. The violence I exploit here is to show that when bdsm can go bad it really goes bad. But for me “BDSM is the most beautiful form of love making because it is consensual”.

In Dark Lotus you see a personal style emerging, how did you feel as a film maker when you made this film?
Well I was thrilled as it was my first financed film. I could focus my attention solely on directing. It was a very liberating experience and probably gave me a chance to develop a style.

When did you discover BDSM?
I believe you have certain sensibilities to it or you don’t, from birth. Even at a very young age I was aware I had a foot fetish, even if I did not know the term for it. But I grew up in a very conservative household and so I felt very isolated. When I started making movies I finally had a chance to explore my interest through my films and my characters. Eventually I met a few players and I finally started really being an active player in my early 20s, around 2002.

What are you? sub, Dom or switch?
On Fetlife.com I am listed as a switch but in my personal life I gravitate more towards being a sub. I have dominated in certain cases when asked and at first I was reluctant. But know in my couple we tend to switch.

When did you decide that your movies would become your coming out of the BDSM closet?
As mentioned before I used the art of film making as a way to express myself. I could indulge in it and it was a way for me to get play for free ***bratty guilty look***(bad bad boy) .

What were your fears?
I was very nervous of showing this side of me in public on film but I had accepted that part of me and there was no turning back.

What has the reaction been?
In my personal life some friends were totally cool with it and I also did loose some friendships. Within the film industry it has been good. A lot of the critics gave good reviews because my theme was interesting and different. And eventually all my films got picked up for distribution, the biggest interest is from the German market.

What are your favorite things/activates in BDSM?
I’m am so totally into foot/shoe/boot worship. That would be my number one. I also enjoy trampling; verbal and/or public humiliation and degradation; flogging and spanking; light cbt; knife play; spitting; scratching and biting; being used as a human doormat/footstool; and also pet play.

  
from She Was Asking for It

Favorite other film makers that do BDSM movies?
- Clive Barker
- Maria Beatty
- Radley Metzger who did The Image
- Jess Franco

In She Was Asking for It and Vampyros Lesbos the theme is about exploring male rape and society’s lack of concern for the damage a man can go through versus a woman. But your reaction is extreme were the rapers get killed.  Is there a real anger hiding in there?
No I truly have no anger. Not everything in film comes from an real experience. This is what I wanted to explore in She Was Asking for It: could the audience get behind and support the guy’s final actions. I was curious about the audience’s reaction. In the original Vampyros Lesbos the male character has a self-righteous need to save his girlfriend, perhaps he felt like he was not satisfying her like a man should. I am not being misogynistic (hatred or dislike of women) with these 2 films but I did exploit the need to feel anger at the violence these men endured.

In Amy’s in the Attic I noticed you took a topping position and I told myself maybe he is a switch? Did that coincide with real life in any way?
Well this is a funny story. Truth be told the actor that was cast for this role faked a family emergency to get out of the gig on the 1st day of shooting, so I just simply filled in and took the spot. I did have enough confidence in me as a top at that point and I may have explored this side a bit when in the role.

Amy’s in the Attic: in one word, what is the new film about?
Controversy! (which he followed with ) Breakthrough! (and then ) Bi polar! (Matthew I said one word…give me another one and I will have to punish you).

What are your hopes for your new project, your very first long feature, Amy’s in the Attic?
I hope to make money! If the film is profitable then I get more funding for future films. Artistically I hope the film lives up to the script (which is completed). I hope as well it will play at festivals, sell overseas and lead to more films.

When do you think it will be ready for public viewing?
I am aiming for summer 2012.

For those of you who not aware about Amy’s in the Attic, this short is filmed in the Italian horror movie style common to the 60s, think Fellini. The story is about a group of individuals who have gathered for a night of sexual romp but seem bored with each other. The shady host suggests they play a game where a randomly picked guest would play the “slave” for the evening. Amy’s name is picked and what starts off as a fun game suddenly turns to violent degradation. At the end the night the guests fear Amy’s reaction and the host assures them she will be taken care of. How? Well you will have to watch the film to find out. This short got so much attention it has been financed and is in the process of adaptation to a full length feature.

A salad toss-up of questions a la “The Actor’s Studio”….

You are introduced to someone at a cocktail party. Describe what you do in two/three sentences.
“Much like my birth and my first love, I became a film maker by accident. And I gave you the short answer this time.”

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing?
Psychology, I am still contemplating a return to school perhaps some day.

What is your favorite word?
Fetishistically

What is your least favorite word?
Guesstimate

Favorite food?
Spicy Pinto Burrito at Burritoville (it just so happens that is where we did the interview and that is the dish I ordered after Matthew highly recommended it lol).

If Heaven exists what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
I am sorry I missed your call.

If I offered you 60 million $ and handed you a block buster script you can only modify with approval…would you do it?
Yes, sure.

It is 30 C (86 F) with a humidex of 40 C (104 F) outside right now, BDSM fantasy to cool off?
I would have my fiance lie down on a huge slab of ice in a freezer, giving the effect of a corpse , then ravage her body after some knife play (scoop alert!!! I won’t say another word).

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What a wonderful personal look into the life and career of an up-and-coming film maker. Thank you so much Matthew for taking time out of your schedule and granting me this interview, it was truly enjoyable. You can find more information about Matthew Saliba by following his Facebook, Myspace and Twitter pages. Also, all his films are distributed by Black Flag Pictures.