By Aaron Carnes

Jason Rudy has been making underground, campy, drive-in-inspired movies locally the past decade under his production name Desperate Visions. The name is perfect because it gives a sense of the schlocky style his films possess—though they’re all quite diverse. His styles include the likes of horror (The Last Road To Hell) and Japanese pink violence (Sukeban: Octopus Pot) as well as erotica (The Desires of Dawn), and Mondo (Mondo Sacramento 1 & 2). For anyone not familiar with these particular subgenres, they were all popular in the drive-in era, and are heavy on sex and/or violence, If anything, they all demonstrates Rudy’s fanatical love for classic underground cinema.

On the side, Rudy has been also taking a lot of photos, working with models and actresses—some from his movies, but not all. A new art show highlights this work. Desperate Visions: The Photography of Jason Rudy features an array of women—some shot for his films, others who posed specifically for this project—photographed .indoor and outdoor. As with Rudy’s movies, the images will transport viewers back to the ‘70s with their soft lens and seductive poses. Still, here’s a little less of the excess flesh here. This is Rudy going for a little sexy elegance.

The show runs through July 24 at Little Relics Boutique & Galleria (918 21st Street) with an an artist reception tomorrow, July 11 from 6-8 p.m.  The photos will be on sale, as will DVDs and posters from Rudy’s movies.