As part of our '31 Days of Horror' month here at Obsessed With Film, and to celebrate the
Ultimate Duel Format Blu-ray release of the conterversial 1978 film '
I Spit On Your Grave', we got the chance to pitch ten questions to the original film's director
Meir Zachari. 1. What was the point of I Spit on Your Grave? By that I mean, what emotions did you want people to experience and what messages did you hope the film would convey?
To make audiences realise how horrible rape is and to let the justice system know how horrific the experience is and it should be taken extremely seriously. On the DVD extras I do a commentary on what inspired the story behind the film and here I explain what previous experience Id had which inspired the film.
2. Why the change of title from Day of the Woman to I Spit on your Grave?
I didnt change it myself. No one wanted to buy the film under Day of the Woman so I made a deal with a US distributor who had the right to change the title. They called me one day and told me that they had decided to change the name to 'I Spit on Your Grave' to make it more attention grabbing. But I personally hate this title. Since 2002 when it came out on DVD in my contract I insist that the DVD cover always includes AKA Day of the Woman on its cover sleeve. They cut 10-12 mins of the original cut and gave it an R rating. I had no money to advertise before, but after the deal it went into 27 theatres on July 1980 and for some reason the full version was shown and the MPAA didnt know this. The Chicago Tribune and The Chicago Sun said it was the worst movie ever made and warned people not to see the film. They were the best promoters ever for this movie I wonder whether they dont ask for royalties now. One day Ill give Roger Ebert a hug and then tell him who I am afterwards.
3. Did you expect the huge backlash the film received from everyone, everywhere?
When we were editing the movie, I said to my colleagues this movie will create a storm that will last for 5 years . In 1978 there were no VHS tapes only TV and cinema. Now movies have a much longer life span. 32 years later and it is still receiving so much attention it defies the forces of gravity!
4. What were your own friends and familys reactions to the film?
In 1978 my son and daughter were 11 and 12 years old and they are in the film at the gas station. I didnt show it to them until after they were 17 years old. I didnt show the film to my parents as it would be too much but would love to have heard what they thought about it. I showed my wife the remake a few months ago and she was glued to the screen for 2 hours. She turned to me and said promise me you will never show this movie to any of our friends and relatives as Im worried we may lose them. But Ive never lost any friends through this movie. Intelligent people can see much more than just on the surface of a film they can see whats behind it as well.
5. What was it like working with Camille Keaton? And was there any pressure knowing that you were working with a member of Hollywood royalty?
Ah Camille is a lovely down to earth girl a warm-hearted, humble and modest girl with no arrogance about her. I was very happy to hear she was related to Buster Keaton he is one of the few genius of the silent movies. She worked very hard and never acted like a prima donna. She made some Italian movies before I Spit on Your Grave then came back to the US as she missed her parents. She said it was a great role for a woman as there arent many great lead roles for women and she rang me and said that she must take the part and hed regret it if he didnt take her on. Even Sarah Butler (lead of the remake) said it was a great role for a woman a once in a lifetime opportunity.
6. How did you prepare the actors for the rape scenes?
I didnt it just happened. Everyone worked hard and it just worked.
7. Would it be fair to say that the reception of the film and the infamy it brought you ruined your chances of being taken seriously as a respected film director?
I never thought of this I didnt care. I directed, produced, edited. I didnt care what people thought of me. The movie is what matters not me.
8. If you could go back would you make it again?
Yes of course.
9. Have you seen the remastered, Blu-Ray special edition release and what are you opinions on it?
Beautiful. I was in the studio a few weeks ago preparing for HD and it looks magnificent!
10. What are your feelings on the remake due for release later this year? And did you have any creative input in the film and if so, what?
Much better than I expected. They asked me to direct it but I said I cant do anything more than I did with the original, so I said someone else should do it.
'I Spit On Your Grave' is available on
Ultimate Duel Format Blu-ray now. You can check out my review of the site
here. Also, you can check out Mike Edwards' review of the remake from FrightFest,
here.