Ulli Lommel
Encyclopedia
Ulli Lommel is a German actor and director
, noted for his many horror film
s, and for his career as an actor on Rainer Werner Fassbinder
's films.
's Fanny Hill. In 1969, he starred in Rainer Werner Fassbinder
's directorial debut Love Is Colder Than Death
. The cast as an ensemble won an award at the German Film Awards in 1970.
Fassbinder and Lommel worked together more than 20 times after 1967. Fassbinder also produced Lommel's The Tenderness of Wolves
, a drama about the murders of Fritz Haarmann
, which was Lommel's second film as director. It was nominated at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival
for the Golden Bear
. Ulli Lommel participated in the documentary Fassbinder in Hollywood (2002).
Lommel moved to the United States in 1977 and started working with Andy Warhol
, who produced his films Cocaine Cowboys
, and Blank Generation
(1980
). In 1980, Lommel directed The Boogeyman
(1980) which became a hit and made the UK's 'Video Nasties' list. After that, he went to make films like BrainWaves (1982
), starring Tony Curtis
and Vera Miles
, The Devonsville Terror
(1983
) with Donald Pleasence
, and Revenge of the Stolen Stars
(1985
) with Klaus Kinski
.
Since the mid-1980s, he has directed several films, from drama to science fiction, but mostly horror. In recent years he has become notorious for a long line of direct-to-video
movies based on the lives of serial killers, most of which have been critically panned.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, noted for his many horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
s, and for his career as an actor on Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Maria Fassbinder was a German movie director, screenwriter and actor. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the New German Cinema.He maintained a frenetic pace in film-making...
's films.
Career
Lommel started his career as an actor in films in 1960's. One of his earliest film roles was in Russ MeyerRuss Meyer
Russell Albion "Russ" Meyer was a U.S. motion picture director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, actor and photographer....
's Fanny Hill. In 1969, he starred in Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Maria Fassbinder was a German movie director, screenwriter and actor. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the New German Cinema.He maintained a frenetic pace in film-making...
's directorial debut Love Is Colder Than Death
Love Is Colder than Death (film)
Love is Colder than Death is a 1969 German film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. This is Fassbinder's first feature film, and he stars as a petty hood, Franz Biberkopf. Biberkopf's friend, portrayed by actor Ulli Lommel, has been ordered to kill Franz by a crime syndicate...
. The cast as an ensemble won an award at the German Film Awards in 1970.
Fassbinder and Lommel worked together more than 20 times after 1967. Fassbinder also produced Lommel's The Tenderness of Wolves
The Tenderness of Wolves (film)
The Tenderness of Wolves, is a 1973 West German film, produced by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, directed by Ulli Lommel and based on the crimes of German serial killer and cannibal Fritz Haarmann...
, a drama about the murders of Fritz Haarmann
Fritz Haarmann
Friedrich Heinrich Karl "Fritz" Haarmann , also known as the Butcher of Hanover and the Vampire of Hanover was a German serial killer who is believed to have been responsible for the murder of 27 boys and young men between 1918 and 1924...
, which was Lommel's second film as director. It was nominated at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival
23rd Berlin International Film Festival
The 23rd annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 22 to July 3, 1973.-Jury:* David Robinson * Freddy Buache* Hiram Garcia Borja* Eberhard Hauff* Harish Khanna* Paul Moor* Walter Müller-Bringmann* René Thévenet...
for the Golden Bear
Golden Bear
According to legend, the Golden Bear was a large golden Ursus arctos. Members of the Ursus arctos species can reach masses of . The Grizzly Bear and the Kodiak Bear are North American subspecies of the Brown Bear....
. Ulli Lommel participated in the documentary Fassbinder in Hollywood (2002).
Lommel moved to the United States in 1977 and started working with Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
, who produced his films Cocaine Cowboys
Cocaine Cowboys
Cocaine Cowboys is a 2006 documentary film directed by Billy Corben and produced by Alfred Spellman and Billy Corben through their Miami-based media studio Rakontur. The film explores the rise of cocaine and resulting crime epidemic that swept the American city of Miami, Florida in the 1970s and...
, and Blank Generation
Blank Generation (1980 film)
Blank Generation is a 1980 West German and American co-produced musical film. It was directed and co-written by Ulli Lommel, and it stars Carole Bouquet as the French journalist Nada.-Cast:*Carole Bouquet as Nada*Richard Hell as Billy...
(1980
1980 in film
- Events :* May 21 - Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is released and is the biggest grosser of the year ....
). In 1980, Lommel directed The Boogeyman
The Boogeyman (1980 film)
The Boogeyman is a 1980 horror film directed by Ulli Lommel. It was followed by Boogeyman 2, and Return of the Boogeyman.-Plot:As children, Willy and Lacey watch their mother with her lover and are punished for it...
(1980) which became a hit and made the UK's 'Video Nasties' list. After that, he went to make films like BrainWaves (1982
1982 in film
-Events:* March 26 = I Ought to Be in Pictures, starring Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret and Dinah Manoff is released. Manoff would not appear in another movie until 1987's Backfire.* June = PG-rated film E.T...
), starring Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in over 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama...
and Vera Miles
Vera Miles
Vera Miles is an American film actress who gained popularity for starring in films such as The Searchers, The Wrong Man, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Psycho and Psycho II.-Early life:...
, The Devonsville Terror
The Devonsville Terror
The Devonsville Terror is a 1983 film, directed by Ulli Lommel and starring Suzanna Love and Donald Pleasence.-Plot:Dr. Warley investigates a 300-year-old witch's curse in the New England town of Devonsville. Three liberated, assertive women move into town, which angers the bigoted, male-dominated...
(1983
1983 in film
-Events:*February 11 - The Rolling Stones concert film Let's Spend the Night Together opens in New York*May 25 - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, the final film in the original Star Wars trilogy, is released. Like the previous films, it goes on to become the top grossing picture of...
) with Donald Pleasence
Donald Pleasence
Sir Donald Henry Pleasence, OBE, was a British actor who gained more than 200 screen credits during a career which spanned over four decades...
, and Revenge of the Stolen Stars
Revenge of the Stolen Stars
Revenge of the Stolen Stars is a 1985 comedy film directed by Ulli Lommel and starring Klaus Kinski. -Cast:* Suzanna Love - Kelly* Barry Hickey - Gene Mc Bride* Klaus Kinski - Donald McBride* Ulli Lommel - Max Stern* Kitty O'Shea - Lupe...
(1985
1985 in film
-Events:* 3 December - Roger Moore steps down from the role of James Bond after twelve years and seven films. He is replaced by Timothy Dalton.* The Academy Award for Best Picture was won by Out Of Africa, while the highest grossing film was Back to the Future.* Bliss wins AFI Award for best Movie...
) with Klaus Kinski
Klaus Kinski
Klaus Kinski, born Klaus Günter Karl Nakszynski , was a German actor. He appeared in more than 130 films, and is perhaps best-remembered as a leading role actor in Werner Herzog films: Aguirre, the Wrath of God , Nosferatu the Vampyre , Woyzeck , Fitzcarraldo and Cobra Verde .-Early...
.
Since the mid-1980s, he has directed several films, from drama to science fiction, but mostly horror. In recent years he has become notorious for a long line of direct-to-video
Direct-to-video
Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
movies based on the lives of serial killers, most of which have been critically panned.
As director
- Haytabo (1971)
- The Tenderness of WolvesThe Tenderness of Wolves (film)The Tenderness of Wolves, is a 1973 West German film, produced by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, directed by Ulli Lommel and based on the crimes of German serial killer and cannibal Fritz Haarmann...
(1973) - Adolf and Marlene (1977)
- Cocaine CowboysCocaine CowboysCocaine Cowboys is a 2006 documentary film directed by Billy Corben and produced by Alfred Spellman and Billy Corben through their Miami-based media studio Rakontur. The film explores the rise of cocaine and resulting crime epidemic that swept the American city of Miami, Florida in the 1970s and...
(1979) - Blank GenerationBlank Generation (1980 film)Blank Generation is a 1980 West German and American co-produced musical film. It was directed and co-written by Ulli Lommel, and it stars Carole Bouquet as the French journalist Nada.-Cast:*Carole Bouquet as Nada*Richard Hell as Billy...
(1980) - The BoogeymanThe Boogeyman (1980 film)The Boogeyman is a 1980 horror film directed by Ulli Lommel. It was followed by Boogeyman 2, and Return of the Boogeyman.-Plot:As children, Willy and Lacey watch their mother with her lover and are punished for it...
(1980) - The Devonsville Terror (1983)
- Olivia (1983)
- BrainWaves (1983)
- Revenge of the Stolen StarsRevenge of the Stolen StarsRevenge of the Stolen Stars is a 1985 comedy film directed by Ulli Lommel and starring Klaus Kinski. -Cast:* Suzanna Love - Kelly* Barry Hickey - Gene Mc Bride* Klaus Kinski - Donald McBride* Ulli Lommel - Max Stern* Kitty O'Shea - Lupe...
(1985) - Zombie NationZombie Nation (film)Zombie Nation is a 2004 independent horror film directed by Ulli Lommel.- Plot outline :Police officer Joe Singer lives a secret night life in which he kidnaps women, and takes them bound to his warehouse loft, injects them with a mysterious liquid, and then murders them. During his day shift as a...
(2004) - Daniel - Der Zauberer (2004)
- Zodiac KillerZodiac KillerThe Zodiac Killer was a serial killer who operated in Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The killer's identity remains unknown. The Zodiac murdered victims in Benicia, Vallejo, Lake Berryessa and San Francisco between December 1968 and October 1969. Four men and three women...
(2005)|Zodiac Killer (2005) - B.T.K. Killer (2005)
- Green River KillerThe Green River Killer (film)Ulli Lommel's Green River Killer is a 2005 American crime film starring George Kiseleff, Jaquelyn Aurora , Georgina Donovan, Shannon Leade, Naidra Dawn Thomson, and Shawn G. Smith.-Plot:...
(2005) - Killer PicktonKiller Pickton (film)Killer Pickton is a 2005 United States production horror film that is loosely based on the crimes of Canadian pig farmer Robert Pickton.The movie was filmed in New Hampshire and was directed by Ulli Lommel. The movie was co-produced and co-written by Ulli Lommel and Jeff Frentzen...
(2005) - The RavenThe Raven (2006 film)The Raven is a 2006 United States production horror film directed by Ulli Lommel and is based on the classic poem "The Raven", by Edgar Allan Poe...
(2006) - Diary of a CannibalDiary of a Cannibal (film)Diary of a Cannibal is a 2006 United States production horror film directed by Ulli Lommel. It is based on the true-crime story of Armin Meiwes, the "Rotenburg Cannibal" who posted an online ad searching for someone to volunteer to be mutilated and eaten. Unlikely as it may seem, someone actually...
(2006) - Black DahliaUlli Lommel's Black Dahlia (film)Ulli Lommel's Black Dahlia is a 2006 United States production horror film that is inspired by the mysterious unsolved murder of "Black Dahlia" -- Hollywood actress Elizabeth Short...
(2006) - Curse of the ZodiacCurse of the ZodiacCurse of the Zodiac is a 2007 American horror film from Lionsgate, written and directed by Ulli Lommel, inspired by the true story of the hunt for a notorious serial killer known as "Zodiac" who claimed responsibility for the still unsolved murders....
(2007) - HP Lovecraft's The TombHP Lovecraft's The TombHP Lovecraft's The Tomb is a 2007 United States production horror film that is based on H.P. Lovecraft's 1917 story, The Tomb . However, many reviewers have noted that the plot of this film is unrelated to the Lovecraft short story...
(2007) - Borderline Cult (2007)
- Killer Nurse (aka: Angel of Death 2007)
- Nightstalker (2007)
- Baseline Killer (2008)
- Son of Sam (2008)
- Dungeon Girl (2008)
- Absolute Evil (2008)
- D.C. SniperD.C. SniperD.C. Sniper is a 2010 American direct-to-video drama-thriller film directed by Ulli Lommel and written by Lommel and Ken Foree. It stars Ken Foree, Christopher Kriesa and Maria Ochoa.-Plot:...
(2009)
As actor
- Fanny HillFanny Hill (1964 film)Fanny Hill is a 1964 American comedy film directed by Russ Meyer and starring Letícia Román, Miriam Hopkins and Ulli Lommel. Filmed in Berlin, the film is an adaptation of the 1748 John Cleland novel of the same name.-Cast:* Letícia Román - Fanny Hill...
(1964) - Final PMP (1968)
- Love Is Colder Than DeathLove Is Colder than Death (film)Love is Colder than Death is a 1969 German film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. This is Fassbinder's first feature film, and he stars as a petty hood, Franz Biberkopf. Biberkopf's friend, portrayed by actor Ulli Lommel, has been ordered to kill Franz by a crime syndicate...
(1969) - The American Soldier (1970)
- Pioneers in Ingolstadt (1971)
- Rio das Mortes (1970)
- WhityWhity (film)Whity is a 1971 German Western film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. It was entered into the 21st Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Ron Randell - Benjamin Nicholson* Hanna Schygulla - Hanna* Katrin Schaake - Katherine Nicholson...
(1971) - Beware of a Holy WhoreBeware of a Holy WhoreBeware of a Holy Whore is a 1971 West German drama film written and directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder which features Lou Castel, Eddie Constantine, Hanna Schygulla and Fassbinder himself. Semi-autobiographical, the film was influenced by the shooting of the director's earlier Whity in Spain....
(1971) - Effi BriestEffi Briest (1974 film)Effi Briest is a 1974 film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, adapted from German author Theodor Fontane's 1894 novel of the same name. The film won the 1974 Interfilm Award at the 24th Berlin International Film Festival and was nominated for the Golden Bear...
(1974) - Satan's Brew (1976)
- Chinese RouletteChinese RouletteChinese Roulette is a 1976 German film written and directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. It stars Margit Carstensen, Ulli Lommel and Anna Karina. The film, a bleak psychological drama, centers on a truth guessing game, which gives the film its title...
(1976) - Shadow of AngelsShadow of AngelsShadow of Angels is a 1976 Swiss drama film directed by Daniel Schmid. It was entered into the 1976 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Ingrid Caven - Lily Brest* Rainer Werner Fassbinder - Raoul* Klaus Löwitsch - Jude / Broker...
(1976) - Strangers in Paradise (1984)
- Revenge of the Stolen StarsRevenge of the Stolen StarsRevenge of the Stolen Stars is a 1985 comedy film directed by Ulli Lommel and starring Klaus Kinski. -Cast:* Suzanna Love - Kelly* Barry Hickey - Gene Mc Bride* Klaus Kinski - Donald McBride* Ulli Lommel - Max Stern* Kitty O'Shea - Lupe...
(1985) - Hors SaisonHors SaisonHors Saison is a 1992 comedy film by Daniel Schmid, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Martin Suter. The film is semi-autobiographical for Schmid, who reimagines the hotel he grew up in in the Swiss Alps...
(1992) - Every Minute Is Goodbye (1996)
- Bloodsuckers (1998)
- Daniel - Der Zauberer (2004)
As producer
- Anglia (1970)
- WhityWhity (film)Whity is a 1971 German Western film directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. It was entered into the 21st Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Ron Randell - Benjamin Nicholson* Hanna Schygulla - Hanna* Katrin Schaake - Katherine Nicholson...
(1971) - Con la música a otra parte (1975)
- The Boogeyman (1980)
- Fassbinder in Hollywood (2002)
- Daniel - Der Zauberer (2004)
Published articles
- "Video WatchdogVideo WatchdogVideo Watchdog is a bimonthly, digest size film magazine started in 1990 by publisher/editor Tim Lucas and his wife, art director and co-publisher Donna Lucas....
" (USA) April 1998, Iss. 42, pg. 26+, by: Jeff Frentzen, "The Weird World of Ulli Lommel." - "The Globe and Mail" (Canada) Sept. 19, 2006. by: Robert Matas, "I'm okay with being attacked." An interview with Ulli Lommel about the controversy surrounding his movie Killer Pickton.
- "Release Print" (USA), Jan./Feb. 2007, by: Elina Shatkin, "Wolf Among Wolves: The Voluptuous Horror of Ulli Lommel."
- "Dark Side Magazine (UK) Issue 125. February. March 2007. by: Calum Waddell. Return of the Boogeyman.