Humbled to see my name featured on the cover of Michael Hone’s book, The Worlds’ Greatest All-Male Film Directors ( Amazon). And featured in between my two mentors, Duroy and Bjorn. But can’t help but think we’re an endangered species: Poole, J.Brian, Deveau, Sterling, Travis, Douglas, Higgins are long gone…
Inevitably, “greatest” is a relative adjective. Hone writes about the directors who mattered the most to his own journey. Many other filmmakers are omitted and they may very well matter more to one reader or the other. But I owe Hone 2 thanks: for his work on this neglected genre of ours. And for his generous review of Hotel Italia (“incredibly handsome men made to look their best”). “As of this 2020 writing”, he says, “Kristen Bjorn is 63, a man, who, along with Lucas Kazan, 55, remain the greatest hopes for the homage and adulation due to all-boy male beauty”. While I certainly don’t deserve the comparison, a pat on the back is always welcome. Thank you, Michael.
(Check out the XBiz interview, for more insight into the last 30 years)