Lee Demarbre
Encyclopedia
Lee Gordon Demarbre is a Canadian
cult film
maker. As the president and key person in the Ottawa, Ontario based Odessa Filmworks
production company, he has led the creation of several internationally-shown films such as Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace and Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
.
Demarbre graduated from St Matthew Catholic High School in Orleans, Ontario
in 1990 then graduated from Carleton University
's film studies programme. In 1998, his short film trailer
martial arts
movie spoof Harry Knuckles garnered attention and led to longer form versions featuring the Harry Knuckles character. This led to a debut full-length feature film, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
which featured many of the actors from the earlier Harry Knuckles films.
Prior to his full-time commitment with Odessa, Demarbre worked for Ottawa's ByTowne Cinema
. He is presently programming films for another Ottawa cinema, the Mayfair Theatre
.
In January 2007, Demarbre directed the Odessa's project The Dead Sleep Easy
, filmed on location in Mexico and starring Ian Hodgkinson
. His movie Smash Cut
was released in 2009 after post-production from July 2008.
He is also host of the weekly Ottawa film talk radio programme Drunken Master Revue on CKCU-FM
. He also presents "Saturday Night Sinema", which is a monthly showcase of rare or classic cult film prints at the Mayfair Theatre
.
. Further coverage of Demarbre and his film at Cannes. Profile of Demarbre and the release of his film, Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
cult film
Cult film
A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film that has acquired a highly devoted but specific group of fans. Often, cult movies have failed to achieve fame outside the small fanbases; however, there have been exceptions that have managed to gain fame among mainstream audiences...
maker. As the president and key person in the Ottawa, Ontario based Odessa Filmworks
Odessa Filmworks
Odessa Filmworks is a Canadian film production company, based in Ottawa, Ontario founded by film director/producer Lee Demarbre. Odessa produced the internationally-distributed feature film Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter.-Productions:...
production company, he has led the creation of several internationally-shown films such as Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace and Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter is a 2001 cult film from Odessa Filmworks which deals with Jesus' modern-day struggle to protect the lesbians of Ottawa, Canada, from vampires with the help of Mexican wrestler El Santo .This film earned an...
.
Demarbre graduated from St Matthew Catholic High School in Orleans, Ontario
Orléans, Ontario
Orleans , also written Orléans, is a suburban area within the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is located in the eastern part of the city along the Ottawa River, about from downtown Ottawa. The Canada 2006 Census gave Orleans a population of 95,491. It became a ward of the City of Ottawa in 2001...
in 1990 then graduated from Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
's film studies programme. In 1998, his short film trailer
Trailer (film)
A trailer or preview is an advertisement or a commercial for a feature film that will be exhibited in the future at a cinema. The term "trailer" comes from their having originally been shown at the end of a feature film screening. That practice did not last long, because patrons tended to leave the...
martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
movie spoof Harry Knuckles garnered attention and led to longer form versions featuring the Harry Knuckles character. This led to a debut full-length feature film, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter
Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter is a 2001 cult film from Odessa Filmworks which deals with Jesus' modern-day struggle to protect the lesbians of Ottawa, Canada, from vampires with the help of Mexican wrestler El Santo .This film earned an...
which featured many of the actors from the earlier Harry Knuckles films.
Prior to his full-time commitment with Odessa, Demarbre worked for Ottawa's ByTowne Cinema
ByTowne Cinema
The ByTowne Cinema is a one screen repertory movie theatre located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1947, the cinema is one of Ottawa's oldest movie theatres and the city's main venue for independent and foreign films...
. He is presently programming films for another Ottawa cinema, the Mayfair Theatre
Mayfair Theatre
The Mayfair Theatre is Ottawa's oldest active movie theatre, operating since 1932. It operates as an independent repertory cinema. The theatre's programming includes independent, second-run and classic films....
.
In January 2007, Demarbre directed the Odessa's project The Dead Sleep Easy
The Dead Sleep Easy
The Dead Sleep Easy is a 2008 Canadian drama film, a co-production of Odessa Filmworks and Zed Filmworks produced on location in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico...
, filmed on location in Mexico and starring Ian Hodgkinson
Vampiro
Ian Richard Hodgkinson , better known by his ring name Vampiro, is a Canadian professional wrestler currently working as a wrestler and a consultant for Juggalo Championship Wrestling. Hodgkinson is semi-retired and is a member of the citizen crime patrol organization Guardian Angels, acting as...
. His movie Smash Cut
Smash Cut
Smash Cut is a 2009 Canadian slasher film released by Odessa Filmworks and Zed Filmworks, distributed by Imagination Worldwide LLC. Lee Demarbre directs this film, which is produced by Robert Menzies.-Plot:...
was released in 2009 after post-production from July 2008.
He is also host of the weekly Ottawa film talk radio programme Drunken Master Revue on CKCU-FM
CKCU-FM
CKCU-FM is a Canadian community-based campus radio station, broadcasting at 93.1 FM in Ottawa, and offering a live Real Audio stream and MP3 stream from its website. The station broadcasts 24 hours per day, 365 days per year....
. He also presents "Saturday Night Sinema", which is a monthly showcase of rare or classic cult film prints at the Mayfair Theatre
Mayfair Theatre
The Mayfair Theatre is Ottawa's oldest active movie theatre, operating since 1932. It operates as an independent repertory cinema. The theatre's programming includes independent, second-run and classic films....
.
Further reading
Profile of Demarbre as he was promoting Harry Knuckles and the Treasure of the Aztec Mummy at the Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
. Further coverage of Demarbre and his film at Cannes. Profile of Demarbre and the release of his film, Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace.