Eurocrime Rarities: Volume 2

As the 70s progressed and the poliziottesco field grew more crowded, some directors sought new frontiers and different spaces, growing the genre into unusual locales and sometimes even shooting films abroad. In this second volume, we bring you a trio of Italian crime rarities which made creative use of atypical settings.

BLUE NUDE

Rocco has come to New York City from Italy, confident that as long as he hangs in there, he’ll one day make it in showbiz. In between wandering Times Square dazzled by its glitzy signage, a friend ropes him into acting in a hardcore film where he encounters Lilly, an established female porn actor. Barely scraping by, he finds himself taken advantage of by managers, young women, and crooked cops, all eager for a wide-eyed immigrant to abuse or extort. He hopes for a future with Lilly, but when harsh violence enters into Rocco's life, nothing can stop him from lashing out in this sordid world in which he's ended up. A one-of-a-kind document of late 70s street level Manhattan (and actual period sex film sets) from writer/director Luigi Scattini (Witchcraft 70), it stars Gerardo Amato (Sweets for a Stranger) as Rocco, Susan McBain (Barbara Broadcast), Renato Romano (The Bird with the Crystal Plumage), Robert Kerman (Debbie Does Dallas), and director/actor Carter Stevens (The Passi

NO ALLA VIOLENZA (NO TO VIOLENCE aka DEATH HUNT)

In the picturesque Sicilian port city of Messina, Inspector Ettore Manetti (Al Cliver) is beginning to crumble. Violent crime is rampant, bikers have just beaten and killed a police officer, and now he’s now been handed the job of catching three dangerous prison escapees. As the trio begins a series of kidnappings, they run down a little girl while narrowly evading capture. Tano, the girl’s father, begins his own vigilante crusade as he ferociously strikes down anyone in his path in search of the men responsible. Exceedingly, violence is no longer limited to just the criminals. Ostensibly a passion project from prolific Messina-born actor Tano Cimarosa (Reflections in Black), who's credited with writing, directing, and playing the vigilante role, this regional film liberally showcases both scenic locations and shocking brutality. Also starring Paola Quattrini (The Case of the Bloody Iris), Ninetto Davoli (The Decameron), and Federico Boido (I Am Sartana, Your Angel of Death).

POLIZIA SELVAGGIA (SAVAGE POLICE) aka CANI (MURDERER)

Ahmet toils away in Istanbul’s lowest rung of petty crime, berated even by other thieves who call him the Leech. Stalking the streets for any potential score, he snatches a man’s briefcase and steals his car, accidentally killing a detective in the process. When a manhunt ensues, Ahmet strains to flee the country, emboldened by the fact that the briefcase was packed with cash. Murat (Turkish star Tarık Akan), partner of the dead detective, sets out on his own path of vengeance while Ahmet’s cruel desperation forces him into taking hostages in order to evade the police. This ambitious Turkish-Italian co-production written and directed by Guido Zurli (Black Deep Throat) heaps on psychotic sleaze and a truly vicious, depraved antagonist in Ahmet. Also starring Karin Well (Burial Ground), Edilio Kim (A White Dress for Marialé), and George Ardisson (The Long Hair of Death).