Bernard Launois

Bernard Launois (French pronunciation: [bɛʁ.naʁ lonwa], born 8 April 1930) is a French exploitation film director,[1] screenwriter and actor. As an actor, he sometimes used the pseudonym Bob Gary.[2]

He was born in Mézières, France.[1] Having studied pharmacology for two years in the university, he sought a career in the film industry instead. He worked as a trainee editor and then as an assistant director. In 1953, he was employed by Paramount's programming department in Paris.[2]

During the 1960s, he worked for several film distribution and production companies, such as Parafrance [fr] and Les Films Copernic [fr].[2] In 1979, he founded his own company, Lancaster Film, to finance the films he wrote and directed. He also edited film trailers and played minor roles as an actor.[2] His debut film as director, Lâchez les chiennes (lit. 'Unleash the Bitches', released in 1972), was an improvised work that he wrote in three days.[1] Devil Story, his seventh and last feature film, has gained a cult following because of its reputation as one of the worst films in history.[1][3] It was restored in 4K resolution from its 35mm original camera negative and released on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome, an American home video distribution company, in 2021.[3][4]

He founded Delta Films and bought a four-theatre multiplex in 1987.[2] He retired from the filmmaking business at the end of the 1980s.[1]

Filmography

Director

Producer

Actor

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Mignard, Frédéric. "Bernard Launois". CinéDweller.com (in French). Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Rège, Philippe (2009). Encyclopedia of French Film Directors, Volume 1. Scarecrow Press. p. 600. ISBN 9780810869394.
  3. ^ a b "Devil Story". American Genre Film Archive. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  4. ^ Hays, Loron (28 September 2021). "Devil Story (1986) Vinegar Syndrome Exclusive - Blu-ray Review". Reel Reviews. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2024.


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