He’s been called “a one man film industry” (The Guardian), “the first feminist American director” (B. Ruby Rich), “practically an American institution” (The Washington Post) and “the ultimate auteur” (Roger Ebert). His films include such classics as LORNA, UP!, MUDHONEY, FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL!, BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS and the legendary VIXEN Trilogy. His creative vision and maverick spirit changed the trajectory – and shape – of cinema forever.
But when writer/producer/director/cinematographer/distributor Russ Meyer – who famously retained all rights to the films he produced – passed away in 2004, the fate of his landmark catalog became shrouded in mystery and clouded by rumor while remaining virtually unseen and unattainable by modern audiences.
In 2023, Severin Films approached The Russ Meyer Charitable Trust by reaching out to his longtime Executive Assistant Janice Cowart – who by then was the last remaining Trustee and responsible for herculean preservation efforts in the years following Russ’ death – with a passionate pitch to restore and release many of his films. Severin promised to spare no expense, archeological effort or technical wizardry to present these works via the gold standard they richly deserve and celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Russ Meyer. The inaugural three films in this partnership will be VIXEN, SUPERVIXENS and BENEATH THE VALLEY OF THE ULTRAVIXENS.
Working in collaboration with Janice Cowart and The Russ Meyer Trust, this will be the first time these films have been mastered from their negatives since the early ‘80s, with new and archival Special Features curated exclusively for these releases.
“As a filmmaker, distributor and First Amendment warrior, Russ Meyer is one of the last great icons of American cinema,” says David Gregory, co-founder and CEO of Severin Films. “We’re grateful for the support of The Russ Meyer Trust as we begin what we hope will be an ongoing and bountiful partnership. The Severin Films team is enormously proud of our work in restoring these legendary titles for a new generation of fans and look forward to bringing Russ’ classic catalog back to the bosom of cinéastes everywhere.”
“Russ Meyer’s biggest requirement was QUALITY,” says Janice Cowart of The Russ Meyer Trust. “RM Films is overjoyed that Severin Films took on this gargantuan effort to meet Russ’ expectations, and we are delighted his films will once again be available.”
