Category Archives: Occultism

Robert Stark and Matt Pegas try to start a New Religion

Adam Parfrey, aesthetics, Aleister Crowley, Alex von Goldstein, Alexander Dugin, Alt Center, Andrew Yang, Boyd Rice, Bronze Age Pervert, Buddhism, Calexit, California, California Jesus, Calvinism, Camille Paglia, Carl Jung, Charles Manson, Christianity, Cults, Culture, David Lynch, dreams, ecofascism, Edward Dutton, Environment, Eugenics, Fascism, Gnosticism, Hinduism, History, Human Bio Diversity, IQ, Jason Reza Jorjani, Julius Evola, Liberalism, Marianne Williamson, Matthew Pegas, Mel Gibson, Memes, Mental illness, Mike Marinacci, Morality, Multiculturalism, Nietzsche, Occultism, parapsychology, Personality Types, Philosophy, Pilleater, Politics, Psychology, Race Relations, Radical Center, Religion, Richard Dawkins, San Diego, Science, Sexuality, Shaun Partridge, social capital, Social Isolation, spirituality, the New Right, The Partridge Family Temple, Theosophy, Third Position, Traditionalism, Vaporfornia, Yosemite

Robert Stark and Matt Pegas  tease the notion of a speculative new spiritual movement. This is a simulcast with Matt’s literary podcast, New Write, and a field-recording, conversation on cults, the new age movement, Matt’s Substack article “The Renaissance of the Ritual“, Robert’s novel “Vaporfornia“, California as fertile soil for new religions, occultism, and much more. Recorded on May 1st, 2022, on a trip through the backcountry of San Diego County, near Palomar Mountain, where Crowlian occultist, Wilfred Talbot Smith, erected an Ordo Templi Orientis temple.

Topics:

Background on the “new religion,” started as a half joke in Yosemite
A self-initiatory religion, comparable to Discordianism
Social reasons for the rise in cults
California ‘s spiritual movements: Mike Marinacci’s book California Jesus, Order of Atwa, and the Partridge Family Temple
Syncretic occultism and the esotericism/New Age to fascist pipeline
The right hand vs. left hand path and Jungian shadow work
The occultist ritual, finding structure in chaos, and a metaphysical/esoteric take on self-improvement
Knowing when to surrender and embrace the photosynthesis of the Universe/Light of God
The relationship between spirituality and biology (speculating where atheism and various theologies fit on the Bell Curve meme)
An anti-liberal and anti-blank slatist case for Theosophy
Robert’s article on a psychological inspired approach to solving political and social problems
Aesthetic alchemy (Sigils), and the spiritual, ethereal component to  aesthetics
Bronze Age Pervert as a foundationalist (not a traditionalist), and Mike Ma as an instinctive Christian
Jason Jorjani’s Prometheism 
Why spirituality and reclaiming vitality needs to come before politics

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Checkout Robert Stark’s Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Stark Truth TV, novel Vaporfornia, and subscribe to his Substack.

Robert Stark interviews Kevin Kautzman

Academia, acting, aesthetics, Aleister Crowley, American Culture, Aristocratic Individualism, Art, Beatniks, BLAUERGEIST!, Blue Velvet, Camille Paglia, capitalism, Catholicism, censorship, Charles Bukowski, Christianity, Cinema, Class, College, comedy, conformity, Conspiracy Theories, Control, coronavirus, counterculture, Crime, Culture, David Lynch, Drugs, Economics, England, Film, History, Homosexuality, humor, Internet, Ireland, Kevin Kautzman, Liberalism, Libertarianism, Marquis de Sade, Mexico, Morality, New York, Nietzsche, Occultism, Oscar Wilde, Philosophy, Poetry, Political Correctness, Politics, Psychology, relationships, Religion, Sexuality, Social Media, social status, Socialism, Stanley Kubrick, Suburbia, Surrealism, Theatre, Travel, Twin Peaks, Wealth, William S. Burroughs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark talks to playwright Kevin Kautzman about his play MODERATION, playwright Oscar Wilde, and author William S. Burroughs. Check out Kevin’s podcast Art of Darkness, web series Money Shot Show, and follow him on Twitter.

Topics:

The online premier of the latest iteration of MODERATION, a dark comedy about social media moderators
Kevin’s play Dream of Perfect Sleep
Oscar Wilde: The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name
Oscar Wilde’s political views and philosophy of aestheticism, his prison letter De Profundis, and notable quotes
William S. Burroughs: Liberalism with a Gun
The Beat Generation
The economic and political mechanisms of the arts
The artist’s legacy within the framework of cancel culture
Upcoming podcasts on Stanley Kubrick, Charles Bukowski, and Ernest Hemmingway

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Checkout Robert Stark’s Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Stark Truth TV, novel Journey to Vapor Island, and in production documentary The Gospel of Gibson.

Robert Stark talks to Jay Dyer about Jacob’s Ladder

1980's, 1990's, acting, aesthetics, Buddhism, Christianity, Cinema, Conspiracy Theories, Crime, Culture, David Lynch, death, dreams, Drugs, Film, Gnosticism, Hellraiser, History, Hollywood, horror, horror films, Jacob's Ladder, Jay Dyer, John Carpenter, KLF, Matt Pegan, Matthew Pegas, New York, Occultism, Psychology, Religion, Science, Science Fiction, Southbound, Suicide, Surrealism, Twin Peaks, Vaporwave, War

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark and Matt Pegan talk to author and TV presenter Jay Dyer about the psychological horror film Jacob’s Ladder (1990). Jay Dyer is the author of Esoteric Hollywood:: Sex, Cults and Symbols in Film and you can watch his show on YouTube. Also check out Robert’s interview with Jay on Stark Truth TV at the Paramount Movie Ranch which was damaged in a wildfire shortly after filming.

Topics:

Jacob’s Ladder’s cult following and its director Adrian Lyne
The film’s plot, layers revealed, and symbolism
The Phoenix Program and Project MKUltra
Pseudo Christian themes in the film with references to the Bible, Christian mystic Meister Eckhart, and Dante’s Purgatorio
The concept of the soul journey in Orthodox Christianity and Gnosticism
The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead by Timothy Leary
Studies on Near Death Experiences
Comparisons to other films including Flatliners, Silent Hill: Revelation, Hellraiser: Inferno, Southbound, Insidious, The Triangle, U Turn, Enter the Void, and The Void
The British electronic band The KLF
Jay’s upcoming lecture series on the history of the mafia

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Checkout Robert Stark’s Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Stark Truth TV, novel Journey to Vapor Island, and in production documentary The Gospel of Gibson.

Robert Stark talks about Esoteric Aesthetic Power Structures

1980's, 80's music, aesthetics, Aldous Huxley, Aleister Crowley, alienation, Alternative Right, American Culture, Archeofuturism, Architecture, Aristocratic Individualism, Art Deco, Aspergers Syndrome, California, Cinema, Cities, Class, Conspiracy Theories, counterculture, Culture, David Lynch, demographics, Donald Trump, Economics, Enlightenment, Esoteric Hollywood, Film, Futurism, History, Hollywood, Internet, Jay Dyer, John C. Portman Jr, Journey to Vapor Island, Los Angeles, Matthew Pegas, Music, Occultism, Oligarchy, Philosophy, Psychology, Retro Futurism, Science Fiction, Social Isolation, Surrealism, Urbanism, Utopia, Vaporwave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark and  Matthew Pegas talk about the intersection of politics, culture, and aesthetics and power dynamics. Check out Jay’s Analysis and Jay Dyer’s Full Lecture at Mercado Sagrado Fair on Stark Truth TV.

Topics:

The Mercado Sagrado Fair at Paramount Ranch in Malibu
The Horseshoe theory and contrast between the Bobo culture and dissident right scene
Jay Dyer’s book Esoteric Hollywood and past shows on Esoteric Hollywood and David Lynch
Conspiracy theories as an attempt to understand the mechanisms of power
Deciphering the realities of power
The root of paranoia in feeling powerless and not being in control of one’s destiny
Edward Bernays’ use of psychology, advertisement, and media to subject the masses to the will of the elite
Aldous Huxley and the Fabian Socialist
The oligarchy, traits selected by global capitalism, and whether a meritocracy can address those problems
Aleister Crowley’s Aristocratic Radicalism, and how he is an icon to elites, counter-cultures, and dissidents who want to reinvent society
Robert Stark’s novel Journey to Vapor Island, esoteric occultist themes, and Roger Blackstone as a counter “illuminati”
Dyer’s view that social isolation is engineered vs. factors such as demographic change, suburban sprawl, and technology
Social isolation leading to a rise in radical non conformity, political dissidents, cultural innovation, and online communities and sub-cultures
Secretive central planning vs a lack of utopian vision
Smart cities and Agenda 21 hysteria about smart growth
Ancient occultist aesthetics in 80’s Films, New Wave, Retro Futurism, and the Alt-sphere
Occultist Art Deco Archeo-Futuristic and 80’s Post Modernist Architecture in LA
Sci Fi Architecture: John C. Portman’s Hyatt Regency in San Francisco inspired by the 1935 science fiction film Things to Come.
The necessity of social cohesion for creating grande aesthetic visions

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings, Stark Truth TV, and his novel Journey to Vapor Island




The Starkian Lynch

 Angelo Badalamenti, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 80's music, aesthetics, Alt Center, American Culture, Archeofuturism, Architecture, arcology, Aristocratic Individualism, Art, Art Deco, Blue Velvet, Californication, capitalism, Cinema, Cities, Class, Country Music, Culture, David Lynch, Depravity, Disneyland, Donald Trump, Dune, Economics, Erotized Rage, Fashion, Film, Film Noire, Hollywood, Homosexuality, humor, Jasun Horsley, Journey to Vapor Island, Kyle MacLachlan, Las Vegas, Leisure Suit Larry, Los Angeles, Madeline Zima, Marquis de Sade, Matthew Pegas, meditation, Mental illness, Mid-Century Modern, Morality, Mulholland Drive, Music, Mythology, Neon, Occultism, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religion, Retro Futurism, Science Fiction, Sexuality, Steampunk, Suburbia, Surrealism, Synthwave, Twin Peaks, Urbanism, Utopia, Vaporwave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark and Matthew Pegas discuss the work of David Lynch and the parallels between the “Lynchian” and “Starkian.” Matthew Pegas blogs at Alt of Center | Life. Liberty. And the Pursuit of Beauty.

Topics:

Intro: The Northern Lights – Falling (feat. Lucy Black)
Lynch’s Politics: Admired Ronald Reagan and supported The Natural Law Party
Lynch Endorsed Bernie Sanders and later proclaimed that ‘Trump Could Go Down as One of the Greatest Presidents’
Lynch as an Alt Centrist
Lynch’s interest in Transcendental Meditation which taps into one’s sub-conscience
Lynch as a lone Aristocratic Radical in Hollywood
How capitalism creates faux cultural elites
Lynch’s entry to Hollywood via connections through Mel Brooks which solidified his role in Elephant Man
Lynch’s cinematographic basis as a visual artist and the theme of Neonationalism
The Lynchian aesthetic vs. the Starkian aesthetic and defining what is “Lynchian” and “Starkian”
Lynch and Stark’s self indulgences in their work
Lynch’s interest in Retro aesthetics: Film Noir, animated neon, Mid-Century Modern, and 80’s Vaporwave
Lynch’s affinity for small town Americana and the theme of a dark underbelly to small town life
How the first Twin Peaks portrays a romanticized image of the town, while the new one portrays a more realistic image
The Great Northern as a model for creating aesthetically pleasing suburbs that implement the romanticized image of the small town
Lynch should design a theme park or Las Vegas casino
The soundtrack of Twin Peaks includes a wide variety of genres ranging from 80’s Synth, Old Western, Film Noir Jazz, and 50’s Rock
How the fusion of genres makes it somewhat vague as to when it takes place
Ben Horne as an Old School capitalist who does things that are ethically wrong  yet is rooted in his community
The Black Lodge: it’s symbolism and aesthetics
The philosophy that fear is the opposite of love rather than hate
Mulholland Drive: the themes of Hollywood power and paranoia due to insecurities
Dune: the aesthetics of Dune are more important than the plot
Retro Futurism in Dune: Middle Eastern Archeofuturism, Steampunk, and 80’s aesthetics
Blue Velvet: Sadistic male figures, eroticized rage, and establishing hierarchy through sexual dominance
“Lynchian” themes and references to Twin Peaks in Robert Stark’s novel Journey to Vapor Island

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings and his novel Journey to Vapor Island




Robert Stark talks to Francis Nally about Fast Food Nationalism

1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 60's music, 80's music, aesthetics, Alt Center, Alternative Left, Alternative Right, American Culture, animation, Anime, Art, Asian Aryanism, Boyd Rice, Brandon Adamson, capitalism, Consumerism, Corporations, counterculture, Crime, Culture, David Thrussell, Drugs, Fascism, Francis Nally, Hinduism, Hipsters, Jamie Stewart, Jim Goad, Lasse Nielsen, materialism, Matthew Pegas, Memes, Meta Politics, Millennials, Music, Neofolk, Normies, Occultism, pedophilia, Peter Sotos, Philosophy, Pilleater, Ralph Nader, Retro Futurism, Serial Killers, Sexuality, Shaun Partridge, The Partridge Family Temple, Trevor Brown, Xiu Xiu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Francis Nally blogs at www.pilleater.com, has a YouTube Channel, and produces music at Phteven Universe.

Topics:

Francis’ article Fast Food Fascism & It’s Esoteric Meaning
Francis’ Lexicon
The “innate fascism” lurking behind crass popular culture
The origins behind the unpop art movement and Neofolk
The Unpop theme of using pop culture imagery to depict transgressive material
How controversial icons can look “cute” next to family friendly imagery of popular culture
Shaun Partridge and Partridge Family Temple
Pop culture from the 1960’s through 1980’s
Francis’ critique of Spencer J. Quinn’s  review on Counter-Currents about the new Incredibles 2 film
The Alt-Right’s use of making far-right symbols cool, while Fast-food Nationalism uncovers the “hipness” of corporate logos
Making collage art out of outdated pop culture memes and esoteric religion to make something new
The low brow art scene and the art of Ron English, Frank Kozik, Trevor Brown, and Mark Ryden
Musician David Thrussell’s ironic use of Fast Food imagery
Ralph Nader’s wisdom of how you can’t avoid advertisements in daily life
Going beyond memes and irony to create a positive vision
How a new Apocalypse Culture is replacing the Alt-Right
The intersectionality of Homonationalism, Neonationalism, The Alt-Left/Center, and Post Neo-Folk
The artist creating the vision vs. meta-politics
Embracing late capitalist materialism to find eternal peace and “Nirvana”
Meming pop cultural products towards an identitarian end
The CalArts movement

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings and his novel Journey to Vapor Island




Robert Stark talks to Ashley Messinger about Roger Blackstone & The Politics of AESTHETICS

1980's, aesthetics, Aleister Crowley, Alicia Silverstone, Alternative Right, Architecture, Aristocratic Individualism, Ashley Messinger, Asian Culture, automation, Basic Income, Brandon Adamson, capitalism, Cities, Culture, Cyberpunk, democracy, Disneyland, Distributism, Donald Trump, Drugs, Economics, Elections, Environment, Eugenics, Fascism, Futurism, hedonism, Japan, Japanese Culture, Journey to Vapor Island, Las Vegas, Literature, Nationalism, New Urbanism, New York, Nietzsche, Occultism, Pepe the Frog, Philosophy, Politics, Post-scarcity economy, Retro Futurism, Roman Empire, Sexuality, Skyscrapers, Socialism, Third Way Economics, Transhumanism, Urbanism, Utopia, Vaporwave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roger Blackstone is a fictional presidential candidate in Robert Stark’s novel Journey to Vapor Island.

Topics:

Ashley’s article Roger Blackstone: The Politics of Aesthetics
Roger Blackstone’s ideology as a psychedelic futurist form of social nationalism
Roger Blackstone utilizing capitalism as a real estate mogul to rise to power
Roger Blackstone’s Utopian visions in contrast with Trump who has been a major disappointment
Roger Blackstone’s campaign commercial
“Advancing civilization and furthering human progress” implies a rejection of the NRx reading of history (inverted Whig view) and assumes that some forms of progress are actually meaningful
Basing political ideology on aesthetic values
New Urbanism and the necessity of creating aesthetically pleasant living spaces
The idea that simple libertarianism is just not enough and we need to create intentional communities for every possible group
The 1980’s Retro Futuristic theme; “Neon Nationalism”
Roger Blackstone’s idea of making humans, rather than just art and architecture, the subject of aesthetic concern
Roger’s Blackstone’s economic views and support for a basic income
The power to completely re-engineer the human genome to enhance human potential(Transhumanism)
The book The Chemical Muse about the prevalence of drugs(especially entheogens) in pre-modern societies, and the importance of drug use to a lot of artists and anti-conformists
Roger Blackstone’s father Alistair and his manifesto “Why The True Aristocrat Must Rule”
The notion of a natural aristocracy(ex. Ralph Waldo Emerson and HL Mencken)
The term “Aristocratic Radicalism” pops up, which has been used to describe Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy
Similarities to Alistair Crowley’s concept of “Aristocratic Communism,” where society is geared towards empowering those who are naturally non-conformists, artists, and intellectuals
There is some evidence that Alistair is sympathetic to distributive economic philosophies, because capitalism has this stifling effect on the creative class
The mock presidential debate scene where Noam has to represent Roger Blackstone against the Democrat, Republican, and Libertarian
The growing trend of political fusionism
The importance of using fiction to influence political discourse

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings and his novel Journey to Vapor Island




Robert Stark talks to Count Fosco about the film Eyes Wide Shut

acting, aesthetics, Alice in Wonderland, Architecture, Cinema, Communism, Conspiracy Theories, Count Isidor Fosco, Culture, David Lynch, Depravity, dreams, Erotica, Eyes Wide Shut, Film, Hollywood, humor, Hungary, Journey to Vapor Island, Leelee Sobieski, Literature, Music, New York, Occultism, Prostitution, Psychology, relationships, Religion, Salò, Sexuality, Stanley Kubrick, Surrealism

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark talks to Count Fosco about the film Eyes Wide Shut directed by Stanley Kubrick. Count Fosco has a background in the Canadian Film Industry.

Topics:

Secret Societies; the conspiracy theory outlook vs. elite social clubs
The book  CULT AND OCCULT (THE UNEXPLAINED FILE) by FRANCIS KING
The book Dream Story by Arthur Schnitzler which the film was based upon
Kubrick’s Kaleidoscope
How there is a lot of subtle camera work in Eyes Wide Shut, that most people may not have caught
The importance of symbolism in the film
Types of Venetian masks worn at the party
The use of clues throughout the film
The theme of what is real and what is fantasy
What if David Lynch directed Eyes Wide Shut?
The Mentmore Towers Palace in England where the orgy scene was filmed
the conflict over sexual desire and libido between the married couple played by Tom and Nicole
There is a slight suggestion that perhaps Alice Harford is part of the Cult but her husband is not, when she says “You have no idea.”
Everyone have a price, notice how Bill Harford solves all his problems with money, both with the taxi man and the clerk, hence his name “bill” as in dollar bill
The man who gives him the password is a failed medical doctor which might be suggestive of something
Is it possible Ziegler has himself been lied too, despite his story not entirely adding up, despite lying?
Kubrick deliberately tries to fan the flames of Mandy’s death even after his own death, via the journalist who works on his newspaper props
Ritual in a sexual theme, the use of incense used typically only for sacred things
Leon Vitali, Kubricks personal assistant played the red cloak
The Custom store scene doesn’t make a whole lot of sense; it doesn’t fit in with the whole orgie conspiracy
Leelee Sobieski as another sacrificing anti-career heroine Hollywood mother, who put her children above a career
Leelee’s small but interesting roles in “Never Been Kissed,” “Branded,” and “Deep Impact”
Robert’s novel Journey to Vapor Island and parallels with Eyes Wide Shut

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings and his novel Journey to Vapor Island




Robert Stark talks to Richard Wolstencroft about his new film The Second Coming Volume II

Adam Parfrey, aesthetics, Aleister Crowley, Asia, Australia, Boyd Rice, Charles Manson, Christianity, Cinema, Country Music, Culture, David Thrussell, Film, horror, horror films, Jim Goad, Music, Occultism, Pearls Before Swine, Poetry, Religion, Richard Wolstencroft, Salò, The Second Coming, Travel, Twin Peaks, William Butler Yeats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark talks to director Richard Wolstencroft about his new film The Second Coming Volume II. Volume I is free to view on Vimeo.

Topics:

Intro: Johnny Tyler – God’s Gonna Turn Us To Dust
The film’s inspiration from the poem The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats and the film’s segments based on passages from the poem
“A low budget epic”
The film’s influences including Kenneth Anger, Andy Warhol, Lars Von Trier’s Dogma, Godard’s My Life To Live, and Terrence Malick
The film’s aesthetic
The film’s theme of man trying to usher in the Apocalypse
The conflict between the black magicians and the white magicians
Aleister Crowley and Occultism
“Charles Manson put a curse on Western Civilization”
Cameos by Jim Goad, Boyd Rice, and Adam Parfrey
Music by David Thrussell and old Country Western Music
Filming locales including Thailand, Australia, LA, Switzerland, Barcelona, and London

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!




Jamie Stewart from Xiu Xiu returns to talk about his album Forget & Twin Peaks

 Angelo Badalamenti, 1980's, 80's music, Alt Center, Alternative Right, Animal Cruelty, animals, Art, Australia, capitalism, censorship, counterculture, Culture, David Lynch, David Thrussell, Depeche Mode, Donald Trump, Drugs, Environment, Erasure, Haarlem Venison, Homosexuality, Jamie Stewart, Los Angeles, Marquis de Sade, Martin Heidegger, Marxism, Music, Nihilism, Occultism, Pearls Before Swine, Peter Sotos, Philosophy, Pilleater, Radical Center, Richard Wolstencroft, Sexuality, Snog, Socialism, Twin Peaks, Xiu Xiu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Stark, Pilleater, Haarlem Venison, and  filmmaker Richard Wolstencroft talk to musician Jamie Stewart from Xiu Xiu.

Topics include:

Intro: Xiu Xiu – Queen of the Losers 
Xiu Xiu’s album-  FORGET 
The new Twin Peaks and the show’s finale
Xiu Xiu – Plays The Music of Twin Peaks
Performing at a David Lynch exhibit in Australia
The soundtrack of the new Twin Peaks
Richard’s Xiu Xiu story
Influence from 80’s synth; Depeche Mode, Erasure and Jamie’s cover of Erasure
How music in the 21st Century has become stagnant
Music revenue in the internet era and the importance of live performances
Apocalypse Culture; Peter Sotos
The Gay Marriage vote in Australia
Jamie denounces the Alt-Right
Jamie’s hometown LA and how the city has changed
Animal Rights
Jamie as a pessimistic nihilistic hippie
After Jamie leaves Richard discusses his political and cultural views and his films including Pearls before Swine and his upcoming film The Second Coming Volume II
Richard’s Melbourne Underground Film Festival

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This show is brought to you by Robert Stark’s Paintings!