Tag Archives: Journey to Italy

Journey to Italy’s 15th: the production

We began filming in May ’97, flew Derek Cameron from LA (our American star) and mixed a few European pros with the many Italian newcomers: Erik Kovak (on loan from BelAmi), Wolff (from Germany) and Thom Barron (the Men of Odyssey executive producer didn’t like him and sent him back home. Big mistake: Thom went on to become the Thom Barron everyone knows and one of Europe’s all time fave). Well, everything went wrong that could go wrong. Talk about a baptism by fire… (to be continued. Pictured here newcomer Davide Solari)

15 years of Italian gay porn

JOURNEY TO ITALY is 15 years old today. It all started with a simple bet: what kind of applicants would we attract, if published a few casting ads in Italy? Hundreds of applications poured in –most inadequate (what were they thinking?), many others promising. I held public auditions in Rome and shopped the project around with the biggest porn companies of the time. I wanted (needed?) a big budget, lush locations, a long production schedule, an American star..: there were only a few studios that could afford this much. Men of Odyssey had released “Idol in the Sky” (starring Ryan Idol) and was looking for the next blockbuster. They called me in for a meeting… More postings, tidbits, background stories throughout this month. Celebrating 15 years of Italian gay porn. And more to come.

Derek Cameron in "Gay Porn Heroes"

Writes Brent Blue in his review of “Gay Porn Heroes” (Bruno Gmuender): “Derek Cameron. For me, Derek Cameron has been and always will be my idea of the perfect porn star. Few men in gay porn have ever been as drop-dead gorgeous as Derek Cameron, as bodies, dicks and asses are far more valuable than faces. I had the opportunity to meet him once, and just couldn’t go up to him (he was still working in porn at the time and it was a porn event, so it wasn’t as if I were interrupting dinner). I was scared of the man I considered a porn god and knew I would go idiotically speechless if I met him. I’ve met bigger stars in and out of porn without the feeling, and damn how I regret not even shaking his hand and stammering an “I love your work.” Sparkling eyes, a body that needed nothing, a great dick (if underused) and, of course, that ass, perhaps the greatest of the 1990s.” (© mannet.com)

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Back in 1997 I fought for Derek with MenofOdyssey, who wanted Ken Ryker to star in “Journey to Italy” instead. I followed my heart (my guts?), MenofOdyssey caved in. Fast-forward to the Awards night: Derek and I at the table with Ryan Idol. But my eyes were all for Derek –who picked up his very first trophy for “Tradewinds”

What ever happened to?: Derek Cameron

I had the pleasure to work with Derek back in 1997 on the set of “Journey to Italy”. The producers (Men of Odyssey) wanted a big name –such as Ken Ryker. I insisted on Derek: upon watching him in “Tradewinds”, I was taken with his good looks and, at the same time, his sexual prowess (if you’ve seen him deep throat Jeff Stryker, you know what I’m talking about). Journey was a success. In 1998, I flew Derek back to Italy for a public appearance at Milan’s MiSex and a show at the Art Club in Desenzano: the first porn star show in Italy. Ever. Here’s the picture that landed the cover of “Adam” magazine, distributed in all newsstands at the time.