Cult filmmaker Doris Wishman died August 10th in her sleep due to complications resulting from lymphoma – she was in her mid-eighties. Entirely self-taught as a screenwriter, director, producer and editor, Wishman produced 29 feature films since 1960, including “Let Me Die a Woman”, “Double Agent 73” and “A Night to Dismember”.
Wishman’s career spanned the entire history of exploitation – she made “nudie cuties” in the early 60s, violent and lurid “roughies” in the mid 60s, “sleazies” in the 70s and even a cheapie splatter film in the 80s. Wishman’s films have gained a new audience in recent years amongst cult film fanatics who are drawn to the director’s unique visual and narrative style.
The 2002 edition of the Chicago Underground Film Festival will be dedicated to the memory of Doris Wishman. The festival will screen Wishman’s last completed feature “Dildo Heaven” Sunday August 25 at 8:45 PM and Tuesday August 27 at 10:30 PM at Landmark’s Century Centre Cinemas. Wishman was granted the Chicago Underground Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award last year.
Visit the Chicago Underground Film Festival website for more information.
