Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

'Cult Filmmakers: 50 Movie Mavericks You Need to Know' by Ian Haydn Smith with illustrations by Kristelle Rodeia is a survey of some very different filmmakers.

Starting with Ana Lily Amirpour and ending with Brian Yuzna, this is a short introduction to some offbeat filmmakers. The ones I know like Quentin Tarantino and Jim Jarmusch and Takashi Miike are in here, but the book also introduced me to Guy Maddin and others. Each entry gives a brief biography and talks about influential films. The entries end with an illustration of the filmmaker that references iconic work.

This is a great introduction to some offbeat filmmakers. One could argue for additions and omissions to the book, but the case is made that all of these have made off the wall cinema at some point in there career. The art is quirky and fun as well.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group-White Lion Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

This was quite a fun read. I already knew a few of the filmmakers but it was great learning and discovering more. A lot of movies have been added to my watch list!

I enjoyed reading this book. The author provides short introductions to independent filmmakers and their films. The short biographies and list of key films are good starting point to learning more. I was familiar with many of the filmmakers and films but there were a few that were new to me. The writing is good and the book is easy to read. Enjoy

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Great book. I loved reading it. Very interesting and covers alot of information

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for provide me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Recomendado si disfrutan de las biografías o son amantes del arte en general o el cine en particular. Muy informativo., la verdad amplio mis conocimientos, lo que me entusiasma.

Cult Filmmakers by Ian Hayden Smith is a visually compelling 'who's who list' of major players- from the obvious to the infamously critiqued, to the somewhat obscure.

This book touches a bit on the history of cinema and importance of vision while delivering roughly one page of information on each director with stylistic art accompaniment. I really enjoyed this book, and though I wish a bit more had been provided about each filmmaker, I definitely found myself saving notes in my phone of directors to look up and movies to watch.

Maybe the lack of filmography keeps this a timeless edition, but it felt like it was a missing piece to me.

Thanks to White Lion Publishing for a copy of the ARC. My opinions and ratings are entirely my own.

Although not a book I would normally reach for, this was a great book to flick through periodically. Wonderful movies to add to my to-watch list, and great illustrations. Great read!

While there isn’t a definitive definition of what makes a cult film, there is an essential agreement among film fans that these movies are not business as usual. The description “cult” evokes thoughts of bizarre, potentially uncomfortable, or even controversial cinematic expression. In Cult Filmmakers: 50 Movie Mavericks You Need to Know, Ian Haydn Smith explores the works of fifty filmmakers that he categorizes as cult, following that essential definition.

Smith has compiled the most richly inclusive list of cult directors I’ve ever seen gathered in this category. His selections span gender, race, country, and background with fascinating breadth. As a result he has come up with an especially exciting list of filmmakers. While my own definition of cult doesn’t align with some of these directors: for example, the undeniably bizarre Tim Burton has nevertheless enjoyed mainstream success for most of his career which I don’t see as fitting that label, Smith always gets the spirit of this brand of cinema and the impact of each artist is undeniable.

The directors are presented in fifty brief entries of a few pages each. These are short bios, intended as an introduction to the works of each filmmaker. Instead of going into depth about the films or their impact on audiences, the essays focus on the nature of each director’s work and the movies that define them.

While this kind of book is ideal for those who are new to exploring film, as a long-time fan of so-called cult movies I found this to be an addictively enjoyable read. I learned more than I expected, primarily because Smith has moved beyond the usual suspects in compiling his list and particularly because he is so knowledgeable about world cinema, including visionaries like Vera Chytilova, Seijun Suzuki, and Amat Escalante in addition to directors more established as cult like John Waters, Kenneth Anger, and Ed Wood.

Smith covers a lot of ground in a brief book. By the time I raced through Cult Filmmakers, I had that rare feeling of disappointment that there were no more entries to read. The list of films at the end of the book, divided by director will come in handy. Reading about these varied talents got me fired up to revisit favorites, in addition to seeing something new.

Cult Filmmakers contains 50 figures in the world of cinema and explains what gives them the 'cult' label, . The book features both industry heavyweights filmmakers and little known directors with small but devout followings..

Some of the filmmakers are: Kathryn Bigelow, Tim Burton, John Carpenter, Sofia Coppola, Terry Gilliam, Dennis Hopper, George A. Romero and Quentin Tarantino.

There is a page dedicated to each filmmaker, but only contains three to four paragraphs about the person and their films, alongside some unusual illustration's with each one. Cult Filmmakers is an interesting addition to any film buff's bookshelf, as well as an introduction to the weird and wonderful world of cinema.

There is a list near the rear of the book of by each filmmaker of their key works

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

This was a fun and useful book in terms of discovering and learning about cult filmmakers. I also really enjoyed the illustrations.

Not a comprehensive guide by any means, but interesting reading for cinephiles. A good mix of new and old, men and women, and different cultural backgrounds. Each director gets about a page of description, with a few dates and highlights, as well as a painted portrait.

This is a solid introduction to many film-makers and written in a very accessible style. An enjoyable entry into the world of cult filmmakers suitable for readers of all levels of familiarity with the subject.

My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion Publishing for granting my wish via NetGalley for Ian Haydn Smith’s ‘Cult Filmmakers: 50 Movie Mavericks You Need To Know’ in exchange for an honest review.

While a short book at 144 pages, it contains a lot of information. Its author, Ian Haydn Smith, is a highly respected film journalist, critic, author and academic.

As he states in the Introduction, this book isn’t seeking to be an authoritative guide to cult filmmakers but “aims to be another voice in the conversation about cult cinema”. He admits that the filmmakers featured only represent a small number of those whose works have achieved cult status.

It is quite clear that Smith has extensive knowledge of this subject and I found that his writing was assured and accessible. He provides short entries on the lives, careers, and key works of his chosen 50. Each filmmaker’s entry is accompanied by a portrait by Kristelle Rodeia. Some of these were quite quirky as she often incorporated an aspect of their film work into the image.

I blazed through this in a couple of days though it strikes me that it is probably more suitable for dipping into at leisure. If I buy a copy for myself it likely will be the hardback to keep on my coffee table for inspiration.

While reading it I made note of a number of films mentioned that I would like to watch in the future.

Certainly a perfect choice for film buffs of all degrees or as a gift for same.

Nach der etwas zu umfangreichen Klärung, was ein Kultfilm überhaupt ist, werden mehr oder weniger bekannte Persönlichkeiten vorgestellt. Dieser Teil ist sowohl unterhaltsam wie informativ und kurz und knackig gehalten.

A reasonable, quick read, where fifty pencil sketches of cult film makers are padded out by rather unnecessary (and quite cult-proof) illustrations. With films suitably ranging from "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" and Kenneth Anger works to Giallo and even the Czech New Wave it does well, although it clearly can be argued over with its selections. Picking Kathryn Bigelow out as a cultist-gone-mainstream raised my eyebrows when mentioned in the foreword – surely the likes of Peter Jackson were more cult and are now more establishment, and thus worthy of discussion. But in telling me about people I'd never heard of, this gets the nod, even if some of the entries felt so much on the short side I'm reduced to giving it three and a half stars.

As with any "list," the results, which are purely subjective, can prove both enlightening and puzzling. This illustrated collection provided me and introduction of heretofore unknown artists such as Ana Lily Amirpour (creator of the "first Iranian vampire spaghetti western"), as well as several feminist several in retaliation to the policies of Donald Trump) and international directors, but I wonder at the omission of such as Chantal Ackerman (after all, Claire Denis is here), Dario and/or Asia Argento, and most prominently, Pier Paolo Passolini, given the criteria the author provided for what constitutes the definition of a work of a "cult" director. But then, as I said, it is all subjective.

This book definitely contains a lot of important filmmakers with about one page of information per each, but I felt that it lacked depth and found myself wanting more information about the filmmakers.

Cult Filmmakers is a useful and informative guide — perfect for film lovers and readers of cinema. There was much here to learn and appreciate.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and had my wish granted to read it by White Lion Publishing.

I really enjoyed this book. It's really short considering how much information is in it which is pretty impressive!

I really enjoyed the illustrations.

Honestly, though? What i enjoyed most was being introduced to filmmakers I'd never heard of before.