On behalf of Morpho's Lair , Willkommen Andreas.

ML: How influential was your love of the Kung Fu and Hong Kong Action movies in inspiring you to self train in the art of Karate at such a young age?

AS: It was the motivation for me, I started doing Karate age 8 with my father.
Unfortunately I stopped at the age of 16, where girls and party were more my 'Sport' then. My father continued and got his black belt and is quite successful as a teacher of Karate today.

ML: With the recent news that Celestial Pictures are to release to Video and DVD the entire Shaw Brothers back catalogue of over seven hundred films, all in fully restored and Uncut versions, are you as excited as the rest of fandom at the prospect of seeing such classics finally getting the recognition they so richly deserve in the modern format?

AS: Of course , the Shaw Brother movies are my favourites. I even have some characters on my arms as a tattoo. I think they finally receive the worldwide recognition they deserve.

ML: Which stars of Kung Fu, Directors and particularly films from the Shaw Brothers era are you most looking forward to reacquainting with , and indeed adding or updating to your collection?

AS: Director: Chang Cheh. Actors: Alexander Fu Cheng, Ti Lung, David Chiang, Ku Feng and of course Chen Kuan Tai. Films: Flying Guillotine, All Men Are Brothers, Have Sword Will Travel and The New One Armed Swordsman.

ML: Your passion for Nineteen Seventies and Eighties Horror films from Italy and Spain is evident but how easy or difficult was it to obtain full, unabridged versions in your homeland of Germany of those Zombie classics, from such luminaries as Amando de Ossorio, Lucio Fulci et al?

AS: It is getting better now , things have loosened up a bit although it is still a dirty section in the movies. It was a game for me to get foreign versions as a teenager. I guess things get more exciting when they are forbidden ...

ML: Which particular flesh munching, arterial vino sampling, Living Dead movies had the most personal affect upon you, and how much of those viewing experiences were later an inspiration for your work on Zombie 90 Extreme Pestilence?

AS: Zombie 2 by Fulci.

ML: With Zombie 90 it must literally have taken guts to put together such an in your face Independent gore production. The Italian wave of unrestrained visceral escapism was in decline, yet amongst the loyalist underground fan base the name of Andreas Schnaas was being whispered. Were you aware during this time that you had the potential of turning a personal zealousness into a future revenue making full time career?.

AS: I was and am always very confident about my talents and abilities and I was sure that I would receive the acclaim that ensured me to work professionally. You need to have a big ego in this business or you will end up being an addict of some kind. Thank God I think I am the greatest !

ML: One question that is perhaps most quizzically wished to be asked of you, relating to Zombie 90 , is what the heck was the English voiced dub artist inhaling at the time, and is the rumour that he provided all the voice overs true?

AS: It was actually two guys doing the dubbing, one was the musician Craig Parker, and a friend of his. The original shooting was not funny at all, so the dubbing made the movie into something even more special and ridiculous. I don't think they took drugs in the process, but you never know.

ML: Your style of film making is so sensationally over the top, in such an absurdly enjoyable vein, that gore hounds actively seek out your movies to delight in many moments of rewind heaven. Revelling in the bloody multitude of Schnaastastic effects as well as enjoying the almost self parodying yet warmly apparent homages. Have you ever snuck into the back of a screening of your films and revelled yourself in the reaction of your audience, and which of your films seems to get the greatest reactionary response ?.

AS: I don't really sneak into the screenings, I publically attend them and inhale the reaction, which is always extreme. Either people leave the theatre or stand on their seat and applaud. People love or hate my movies, nothing in between. I enjoy the screenings, I like meeting the fans. It makes me feel good, and I know why I do what I do.

ML: The Japanese culture craze for Horror films and in your face relentless gore is gloriously splashed across many a collectible movie poster utilizing their own unique interpretations on a theme. Their depiction for Violent Shit has William Lustig's Maniac bed partnering the banner from, The Last House On The Left whilst brandishing a knife that Crocodile Dundee would trade in for. Along with such splendidly spurious blurb that accompanies your Violent Shit Trilogy, playing out like a Blair Witch entity, how do you view such audacious Japanese plagiarism?

AS: I like a lot what Japanese do and their so obvious admiration for European and US movies and music. Why not do it like they do? They don't care for names as long as they draw people to the movies.

ML: The release of Zombie 90, as a fantastical hybrid with Battle Royale, has been unleashed on a frenzied land of the rising sun public as Zombie 2001 Battle Royale. With such interest in your portfolio is there a possibility , any time soon, that an enterprising Japanese consortium may table an offer enabling you to officially combine the elements of Zombies and reality game shows, and how appealing would the prospect of Directing the calibre of a Takeshi Kitano be to you?

AS: Maybe , never thought about it.

ML: The Asian market seems to have embraced your work in all its Uncut glory which is in itself creating great word of mouth. Aside from the puritanical restraints of a UK governing body , they will doubtlessly tag line with The Video Schnaasties , do you sense that now is the right time to also break into the American market? Perhaps you might consider sending Charlie Sheen a reactionary screener tape for the Violent Shit films , as apparently the FBI have not heard from him since the infamous Guinea Pig snuff movie telephone call.

AS: Yes, that is why I shot Demonium in English. The American viewers resent dubbed movies as they are not used to dubbed movies. I nevertheless don't want to try and shoot Scream or anything like that. The US Directors can do better. I like the European style of movies. Nevertheless I will probably shoot a movie in New York soon , Nikos The Impaler, a mix of Violent Shit and Anthropophagous 2000. I look forward to this work.

ML: The way in which the Blair Witch Project ignited interest through the Internet was incredible. Do you partake in movie fandom discussions across the Web , or engage in conversations relating to your own films with those who at the time are oblivious to your true identity?

AS: No , I use E-Mail and Internet for my work but not really as a hobby.

ML: Like any true film fan I imagine that you also enjoy collecting movies. Do you frequent the auction sites such as Ebay , and are you able to clue us in to your chosen name handle so we may stand down from bidding against you, in respectful fear of Karl The Butcher seeking us out for a last minute spike?

AS: I only buy Original movies, some spleen from a collector !.

ML: Is there any personal significance or meaning behind the use of your early film making pseudonym of Andreas Diehn?

AS: This is a rumour that isn't true. Andreas Diehn is a real person, he played a part in Violent Shit 2, playing Karl a few times when I couldn't do it. Mostly I was behind the mask, but Andreas Diehn is a true person and alive and kicking.

ML: You are perhaps most famously recognised for your association with the Violent Shit Trilogy and for giving birth to the emergence of Karl The Butcher, the iconic scythe of Euro Independent Horror. What was your creative thought process behind spawning such an impudent film title and equally impetuous character for what has proven to be a very successful Horror 'Hook' ?

AS: I once had a pen pal from New Zealand whom I told about my movie idea and his response was, ' What you wanna do is violent shit ! ' That is how it began. I never thought that people would remember the title so much, but it was a good choice, I guess.

ML: For many, myself included, the third outing for Karl The Butcher is perhaps your most satisfyingly complete film experience to date. It entertainingly showcases all of your formative film ties as it combines Zombies, Kung Fu and Action all blended in amongst the most startlingly jaw dropping gore effects, that even if only able to be seen in an original German language version stands out as a low budget film fans must Hook up with experience.
How much of a personal triumph for you was this true classic of its type, and all those involved amongst the ranks of cast and crew?

AS: Thank you. The birth of Violent Shit 3 was a hard one. I sometimes thought this movie would never be finished. We had a lot of trouble doing it, so when I see the result and the response, I think it was worth it.

ML: The seemingly conclusive culmination of Violent Shit 3 seems pretty decisive for Karl The Butcher, but with the miracles of modern surgery as well as the endless gene pool of moviedom, is there the remotest possibility of letting rip with another Violent Shit sometime down the line?

AS: I guess Nikos will be the Ultimate follow up for Violent Shit fans, look forward to it.

ML: With Hollywood endlessly preparing to unleash Jason V Freddy perhaps the time is right to listen to the chanting fans baying for the ultimate showdown of Jason Vorhees V Karl The Butcher, as Directed by Mr. Andreas Schnaas!
Your foot seems to be currently nestling at the door of American Cinema, affording you the opportunity to work with Troma Studios very own patriarch, Lloyd Kaufman as well as 'B' flick babe Debbie Rochan. How are things progressing for you with the Nikos The Impaler project and how exciting a prospect is this golden opportunity?

AS: I guess New Line Cinema would not agree. Nikos is the right way, and when I read the script I know that this will be a good movie. Nevertheless, there are Other Projects waiting which Excite me a Lot. I hope I will get one step further with every movie I make. Demonium definitely was the best and biggest step so far.

ML: Is there any connecting link between the character you played in Anthropophagous 2000, as Nikos Karamanlis and the titular one from your upcoming release of Nikos The Impaler?

AS: Yes, it is the same character.

ML: Your association with the planned The Fog² is attracting interesting debate amongst fans as to whether this is an unofficial sequel to John Carpenter's film The Fog , or whether in fact it will have its roots more graphically attuned to the James Herbert Horror novel of the same name. Are you able to divulge any details as to the actual storyline and how things are progressing with this interesting sounding production?

AS: I don't know anything about it. I just went to the shooting for a day. I don't even know the status of that project, sorry.

ML: Demonium is a very Italian styled Horror film, could you please share some of your favourite Italian movies and perhaps touch on any particular influences that you may have incorporated into your film.

AS: Fulci Forever. You can smell him when you watch Demonium. My big homage to this Director.

ML: Did you encounter any difficulties or experience any pressure in making Demonium with an English language sound track , and does this now signify the favoured choice in production of future projects, including Goblet Of Gore?

AS: I will continue shooting in English. That is a distributional advantage, and the worldwide film language. Goblet Of Gore was shot in German and will be released with subtitles probably, but English is the right choice for any projects soon.

ML: How differing an experience was it for you in adapting your style of Direction for the making of the music video that accompanies the soundtrack to Demonium, and did you get to enjoy the Rock and Roll lifestyle?

AS: I love music, especially heavy metal such as Manowar. The making of the music video was interesting and I would love to do another one soon. The music business is not more rock and roll than the movie business. I am used to it, and while shooting there is not really a lot of rock and roll, otherwise you will never be finished.

ML: As the world awaits with eager anticipation the release of 'the strangest and bloodiest Schnaas movie' can you possibly share with us any drool abating morsels of information on your latest completed work, Goblet Of Gore?

AS: I am just doing the Directors Cut in the editing room and dealing with Goblet Of Gore after so many years, man this movie is Sick! Very arty and stylish, unlike Violent Shit, again something different. I like the change and trying out new looks. It will be released in Autumn as a Special Edition on DVD.

ML: Your encouragingly ambitious alignment , with two of Germanies other influentially independent Horror Directors, Olaf Ittenbach and Jorg Buttgereit, must surely be as exciting a venture for you personally as it is for the embodiment of fans just knowing that this may soon actually become a reality. How well and for how long have you known these revered fellow guys of gore, and just how realistic a green light concept is Barcelona Babylon?

AS: I actually met Olaf last year in Rome at a party for the first time , and Jörg on our first meeting about this project. They are both very nice and very different. It was a very nice evening when we met and the press fight was forgotten. We all wrote a script for thirty minutes each and other people are taking care of the Production and organisation. I guess this might be a reality in 2003 after Nikos and before my Big Project, which I will not talk about before things are in writing. I look forward to the shooting with Jörg and Olaf, and I think fans will love to compare our work in one movie.

ML: Thank you for taking the time out from your very busy schedule to hang out and chat about yourself and your films. Are there any last thoughts that you may like to share with the growing hordes of Andreas Schnaas fans?

AS: Thanks for listening and being interested in my work. Keep supporting the underground.

ML: It has been a pleasure and personal honour to interview you Andreas. On behalf of Morpho's Lair and Horror HQ, Danke.

AS: All the best , Andy Schnaas

Interview between Paul Cooke & Andreas Schnaas for Morpho's Lair completed on Tuesday 16th July 2002

All Photos copyright Andreas Schnaas. Check out www.anthroproject.de for his official website!

GOBLET OF GORE