I am a longtime enthusiast and proponent of cult cinema. I believe there is value in examining the odd, offbeat, and amateur of the filmmaking world. One might not expect to find anything beyond entertainment value in films like "Miami Connection", "The Human Tornado", or "Fateful Findings", but there is often something quite inspiring to be found in these kinds of movies.
A majority of cult films are the result of one person's passion and drive, and that is truly inspiring. Directors like Neil Breen ("Fateful Findings") and Y.K. Kim ("Miami Connection") toiled to create films that espouse their viewpoints. The end result may be a sloppy and clumsily made film, but to watch it is to see the director's passion pouring forth. Nothing, not even lack of money or lack of filmmaking know-how, will stop these directors from bringing their vision to life.
The self-confidence and determination of these people is astounding. I have heard many of my talented film school colleagues express concern or doubt over the quality of their work. If film students, who at least have the know-how (if not the money), had even half the determination of a filmmaker like Neil Breen, the world would have considerably more good films.
Most cult films are made on shoestring budgets, and oftentimes working within budget limitations fuels creativity.
Rudy Ray Moore, comedian and blaxploitation film star, is far more talented as a comedian than as an action hero, and thus the fight scenes in his films are rather clunky. Rather than hire a fight choreographer or stunt doubles for Moore's "The Human Tornado", director Cliff Roquemore simply speeds up Moore's fight scenes, giving them the look of a silent slapstick comedy in the spirit of Chaplin and Keaton.
The lack of self-consciousness in these films is incredibly motivating. Roquemore and Moore found an inexpensive way to work around an obstacle and hoped for the best. It may look cheap or silly to some, but I think it is actually a brilliant move on their part.
The thing I admire so much about cult films and the people that make them is that they circumvent the traditional means of producing films and just get out there and bring their ideas into reality. There is a do-it-yourself ethos in these films that I find endlessly inspiring. If filmmakers like Neil Breen or countless other "bad" filmmakers can get their films out to the world, certainly the young film students of today can get out there and make something even better.
The best part is that it is wholly possible to make shoestring budget passion projects and genre films that are competently made. Filmmakers like Sam Raimi ("The Evil Dead") and John Waters ("Pink Flamingos") got their start making cheap exploitation, in part due to each filmmaker's love of supposedly "trashy" low budget films, and moved onto more mainstream success. Cult films are an inspiration: if some guy can make an enjoyably bad film, you can surely get out there and make an enjoyable, good film.
