David Kerekes

David Kerekes is a British author and publisher known for his works on underground film, true crime, and cultural criticism. His most recognized book is "Killing for Culture: An Illustrated History of Death Film" (co-authored with David Slater), which examines the phenomenon of death on film and the cultural significance of "snuff" movies. As the co-founder of Headpress, an independent publishing house established in 1991, Kerekes has helped document various aspects of underground and alternative culture. His work often explores the intersection of true crime, exploitation cinema, and societal taboos. Through books like "Sex Murder Art: The Films of Jörg Buttgereit" and "Critical Vision: Random Essays & Tracts," Kerekes has established himself as an authority on extreme cinema and counterculture. His analytical approach combines detailed research with cultural commentary. Kerekes continues to write and publish through Headpress, maintaining a focus on overlooked or controversial aspects of popular culture and media history.

Readers value Kerekes' deep research and documentation of obscure underground films and media, particularly in "Killing for Culture" and "Critical Vision" magazine. Many describe his writing as matter-of-fact and academic when covering disturbing subject matter. Reviewers highlight his careful attention to historical context and ability to analyze controversial media without sensationalism. Multiple Amazon reviews note his objective analysis of mondo and death films. Common criticisms include dry academic writing style, high prices for some out-of-print works, and occasional lack of clear organization in longer books. Ratings: Killing for Culture (2016) - Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) - Amazon: 4.5/5 (31 reviews) Sex Murder Art: The Films of Jorg Buttgereit - Goodreads: 3.9/5 (46 ratings) - Amazon: 4.3/5 (8 reviews) See No Evil: Banned Films and Video Controversy - Goodreads: 3.7/5 (41 ratings) - Amazon: 4.0/5 (6 reviews)

Killing for Culture (co-authored with David Slater) A detailed examination of death on film throughout history, analyzing real and staged footage while exploring the cultural impact of "snuff" movies and death documentation.

Sex Murder Art: The Films of Jörg Buttgereit An analytical study of German filmmaker Jörg Buttgereit's controversial works, examining their themes and cultural significance within extreme cinema.

Critical Vision: Random Essays & Tracts A collection of essays exploring various aspects of underground culture, alternative media, and societal taboos through cultural criticism.

Jack Sargeant Writes extensively about underground film and transgressive cinema, particularly in works like "Deathtripping: The Cinema of Transgression" and "Flesh and Excess: On Underground Film." His analytical approach to extreme cinema and countercultural movements mirrors Kerekes' examination of controversial media.

Carol J. Clover Analyzes horror cinema and gender through an academic lens in works like "Men, Women and Chainsaws." Her exploration of the cultural significance of horror films shares common ground with Kerekes' investigation of extreme cinema.

Mark Goodall Focuses on exploitation cinema and underground film culture through books like "Sweet & Savage: The World Through the Documentary Film Lens." His work examining mondo films and documentary extremes aligns with Kerekes' research into death films and media taboos.

Stephen Thrower Documents exploitation and underground cinema through detailed historical research in works like "Nightmare USA" and "Beyond Terror." His comprehensive examination of marginal filmmaking parallels Kerekes' documentation of overlooked cinema.

Joan Hawkins Examines horror and avant-garde cinema through cultural theory in works like "Cutting Edge: Art-Horror and the Horrific Avant-Garde." Her analysis of the intersection between art and horror cinema connects with Kerekes' exploration of extreme film.