Not only did Ulli Lommel’s 1980 supernatural slasher The Boogeyman find its way onto the DPP’s ‘Video Nasty’ list but so did its sequel.
With a co-director’s credit by Bruce Starr, Boogeyman 2 (alternatively known as Revenge of the Boogeyman) was soon removed from the DPP list but would not be re-submitted to the BBFC until 2003, when the film was re-cut and released as Bogeyman 2: Redux (aka Director’s Cut).
Ulli Lommel discusses the making and subsequent controversy of Boogeyman 2.
How were you first approached about doing a sequel to The Boogeyman and were you proud of what you achieved with the first movie?
“I didn’t want to make a sequel at all. I was young and rebellious and thought sequels were a stupid corporate exploitation idea. So when I finally did it I played myself – a director who didn’t want to make that movie. I am not “proud” of much anyway. Certainly not movies. When I can help a friend or a stranger, that makes me feel good. Pride is something I do not need.”
Did you have any reservations about returning to your previous work and what kind of instructions were you given from your investors?
“I told my investors if I can do whatever i want and call it Boogeyman 2, then I would do it. They said OK.”
How did you approach writing the screenplay and how come you chose to recycle much of the material from the first film? Was this a decision you had made from the beginning or was this due to a lack of inspiration?
“It was ALL inspiration.”
Were there any films in particular that inspired you during the writing of Boogeyman 2 and how did your investors feel about the script featuring a substantial amount of material from the first?
“Reactions were split. Some hated it, some loved it. some suffered, others laughed. But that was THEN. Today I would do it differently.”
How would you describe the experience of shooting the second film? Was it as enjoyable as the first and do you have any major regrets?
“No regrets at all. Shot most of it at my own house with friends and had a great time.”
Were any excessively gruesome sequences shot and did you feel under pressure to cater to the slasher audiences that had seen the previous film?
“I never catered to anyone ever. We just had fun. Like with the first one. I never expected anyone of them to be successful.”
How long did principal photography last and whereabouts did the filming take place?
“10 days at my house and 3 days on location in California.”
What themes would you say you were exploring with Boogeyman 2 and do you feel these translated well onto the screen?
“Selling out, getting corrupted, revenge. My favorite three themes back then. I made the movie I wanted to make, but since i work in symbols and metaphors and subversively, sometimes 10 people get it, other times 10 million. Makes no difference to me.”
How was the movie received by both fans and critics and were there any issues with the MPAA?
“Rating boards ALWAYS have issues with me. fans and critics were split, most negative.”
What kind of controversy did you encounter as a result of these films and did you come under attack from the censors or media?
“Sure there have been attacks, plenty of them. But at least attacks create action and movement. Always good in a society of sleepers.”
How do you feel about the treatment of your films and the notoriety that they caused in the UK? Do you feel the government and media overreacted and why do you think this happened?
“You’d have to ask the patient (society) itself, once he wakes up from the coma. I have just completed Rock The System, a film that sums it all up. Hope to show it at Cannes 2010.”
