Over the years there have been many filmmakers that I like to call Gonzo filmmakers. Sure, I stole the term gonzo from the late, great Hunter S. Thompson, but it really does apply to these folks. They are the men, and women, who are renegades. Their guerilla, whatever-it-takes, making due with whatever is at their disposal style of filmmaking not only shows their inherint need to make movies, but it also shows how much love they have for both movie making, and for the cinema itself.
Meet Thomas Berdinski
Tom Berdinski is one of the finest such indie filmmakers working on the scene today.
Tom serves as writer, director, producer, editor and composer for his company, The Cult of Moi and Vous Film Producioni Company LLC, and works out of his hometown, Muskegon, Michigan.
Tom's movies may not have huge budgets, hell some have barely had a budget at all, but what they do have is something that many of today's multi-million dollar Hollywood studio films do not have. It is something needed when making a movie that people will actually enjoy, and one that they will remember, one that they will enjoy again and again, over the years, and that is HEART!
I consider myself fortunate to be able to call Tom a personal friend. He's a great guy and a very talented and devoted filmmaker.
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| Tom Berdinski as Sascratch! |
Tom's filmography list, as a writer, actor, director, producer, editor, cinematographer, composer, special effects artist, sound guy, make-up artist and production designer, is an impressive one.
Tom Berdinski's filmography on IMDB
Mr. Berdinski began making movies many years ago. One of these early films was parody of Wes Craven's 1977 film "The Hills Have Eyes". which he re-titled "The Hills Have Guys". He made this film when he was just a freshman in college.
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| Screen grab from "The Hills Have Guys" |
Since that time, Tom's made some of my favorite modern indie films including...
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| Poster for the Grindhouse cut of The Italian Zombie Movie |
Zombie Abomination: The Italian Zombie Movie - Part 1 (2010)
and
Zombie Atrocity: The Italian Zombie Movie - Part 2 (2010)
The Giant Rubber Monster Movie (2011)
Noirmageddon: A Mark Anvil Thriller (2012)
To learn more about Thomas Berdinski's films, and to keep up to date for all of his goings on, check out the links below:
* The Cult of Moi and Vous Film Producioni Company LLC on Facebook
* The Italian Zombie Movie on Facebook
* The Giant Rubber Monster Movie on Facebook
* Noirmageddon - A Mark Anvil Thriller on Facebook
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I would like to add one last thing. One of Tom Berdinski's featured actors in his films was a man by the name of Jeff S. Bromely. Sadly, Jeff passed away on August 18, 2013. Although I did not know him well, as a matter of fact I'd only spoke to him online, never in person, but I do know that he was a great man, one who was loved and adored by a great many people, family and friends alike. Jeff and I spoke of his work in Noirmageddon the last time I talked to him online. When I had reviewed the film I mentioned that his work in the film reminded me a great deal of another actor, Daniel von Bargen. Jeff thanked me for the kind words, stating that he was very honored to have been compared to someone whom he looked up to as an actor. We spoke a bit more about the topic and the film. That was the final time I'd speak to the man but his spirit lives on in me through those words that we exchanged as well as through his acting work. Rest In Peace, Jeff, and thank you for letting us know you for a while.
Jeff Bromley, remembered
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