An Interview with BUZZ director Spiro N. Taraviras

Screenwriter A.I. ‘Buzz’ Bezzerides is one of the great writers of the the film noir genre.  His classic KISS ME DEADLY is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential noirs ever made.  He is currently 98 years old and still living in Los Angeles.  The new documentary about his life BUZZ opens at the Laemmle Fairfax theatre Friday, August 25th, 2006.  I caught up with director Spiro N. Taraviras to find out more….



How did this project come about?

I was reading the Greek Sunday newspapers in Munich and I read a review on the re-issue of the novel ‘Thieves Market’ by Buzz.  I ordered the book and when I was checking out his bibliography I was amazed to find all of the other scripts he had written.  I hadn’t notice that he had written the legendary script for KISS ME DEADLY.  As a rule I always read the credits of the films but somehow I never noticed that this was written by someone with a Greek name.  This of course turned into my ‘punishment’ because from that point I started researching and 6 years later the film is the culmination of a lot of hard work.



What were your first impressions of “Buzz”?

I was expecting to meet an old screenwriter who would be willing and wellcoming to tell us all about his life and working experience in Hollywood!  It wasn’t the case to my surprise!



Did your perception of him change while making the film?

Buzz was so “burned out” and misused by the film industry people of any kind in Hollywood and therefor he was very negative in cooperating with us. Slowly and with great difficulty, we gained his confidence and were able to make the journey back to his entire life and collaboration with famous producers, actors and writers at the HOLLYWOOD “DREAM” FACTORY.


 
What is your most favorite film of his?

My favorites are KISS ME DEADLY and ON DANGEROUS GROUND.



What is the most outrageous story he told you about Hollywood?

About the fact that Warner Bros. started to shoot a film entitled THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT, starring George Raft AND Humphrey Bogart, based upon his first novel without having bought his rights, which happened a bit later and they offered him a very bad deal, because Buzz’s agent actually didn’t work for Bezzerides but with the counter part Warner Bros.



What is your plan for releasing the film?  Will it play in NY, SF
and other markets?

Yes, the intention is to start here in La and then release the film in Chicago, where we are also invited to screen the film at the CHICAGO I’NAL
FILM FESTIVAL (release in Chicago after the festival) and then head on New York City, San Francisco, Fresno, Boston, Tampa, Toronto/Canada and South America.



To find out more about this film, click on the official website for more information.  Director Spiro N. Taraviras will participate in Q&A’s after the 4:30 and 7:15 screenings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 25th, 26th and 27th. Actress Terry Moore will join Taraviras on Friday, August 25. Actress Gabe Rogers will participate on Saturday evening.

12 Comments:

1. As a film noir lover, I can’t wait to see this documentary. 
   Buzz looks to be quite a character.  Congratulations on bringing long overdue recognition to this great screewriter.

   Posted by Stephen Purvis on 08/25 at 12:20 PM

2. Saw the film and thought it was outstanding.  Mr. Bezzerides certainly deserves a place in cinema history.  He’s not only a talented writer but quite an interesting man…and one that certainly stood up for his creative rights which we see so little of today.  He is certainly one-of-a-kind and his story is inspiring.

   Posted by Sandi Berg on 09/16 at 01:24 PM

3. I can’t wait to see this documentary.
   Buzz looks to be quite a character.  Congratulations on bringing long overdue.

   Posted by Toronto Condominium on 04/18 at 02:50 PM

4. I can’t wait to see this documentary.
   Buzz looks to be quite a character.  Congratulations on bringing long overdue.
   Toronto Condominium

   Posted by Toronto Condominium on 04/18 at 02:51 PM

5. Congratulations on bringing long overdue recognition to this great screewriter.
   Toronto Condos

   Posted by Rick on 05/01 at 02:03 PM

6. this is very interesting..can’t wait to see the progress too

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   Posted by michaels craft store on 05/23 at 08:49 AM

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11. Such great information and thank you so much for sharing.  Sad to share.  We should all live so long. We wrote about the hardboiled Armenian-American writer A.I. “Buzz” Bezzerides (They Drive by Night, Beneath the 12 Mile Reef, and Thieves’ Highway) at a tribute last year. He died January 1 at age 98.

    Posted by Toronto Condos on 11/10 at 01:23 PM

12. He is certainly one-of-a-kind and his story is inspiring.

    Posted by pg in andheri on 03/07 at 04:30 AM