I visited Orlando's Holy Land theme park with Ken Russell

flippyshark · 03-30-2009, 08:45 PM

I certainly had an interesting day today. I got to meet the notorious Ken Russell, director of Women In Love, The Devils, Tommy, Lisztomania, Altered States, Gothic, Lair of the White Worm, The Rainbow, Whore, and lots more. I've long been a fan, and as I mentioned on the Miscellaneous Movie thread, a good friend of mine has been driving/ hosting/ assisting Mr. Russell while he's in town for the Central Florida Film Festival. So, last week when I talked to Chris, I asked her to let me know if there might be some time or place I could oh-so-casually encounter the man without being too intrusive.

So, Chris tells me last Friday that Ken and his wife are very keen on seeing the Holy Land theme park here in Orlando. (It used to be run by the founder of Jews For Jesus, but is now owned by TBN - you may have seen the great big hair of Paul and Jan Crouch on the teevee.) I said to Chris that if such a thing occurred, I would leave my desk and pay park admission to witness such a bizarre confluence. Long story short(er), that's exactly what happened today.

Chris told Ken Russell and his wife Lisi that a friend (me) might be joining them at the park, and they were gracious enough to say okay to my tagging along. It was very casual. I made it my policy not to "interview" or in any way pester Mr. Russell, and I was 98% good on that policy.

Ken Russell is 82 years old, still writing, instructing young filmmakers at various universities, giving lectures and occasionally appearing on British reality TV shows. And he still makes films, but not at the big studios. He funds his own projects these days, and makes them on extremely low budgets at his own estate. These literal home movies show up online or on DVD, but they don't attract the attention or notoriety of his older work. (In truth, even loyal fans regard his recent films as a lark at best and an embarrasment at worst, not worth serious consideration as part of Russell's oeuvre. It's easy to see why, but I don't think Russell cares. He just likes to make films.)

Chris introduced me to Mr. Russell and Lisi as they waited for one of the major shows at Holy Land. Ken gave me a friendly nod and a thumbs up when Chris introduced me. In general, he was quiet and low key, but kind, and patient with having a stranger like me tagging along. Lisi was a delight, very bubbly, funny and sweet.

In this photo, Ken Russell and Lisi meet up with a fellow playing the shofar in front of a replica of the Qumran caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Mr. Russell really wanted to meet Jesus in person, but that proved unworkable.

Here is Jesus in the "Passion of the Lamb," which is quite a production, and probably deserves its own thread. Both Ken and Lisi found it impressive if jaw-dropping. Jesus doesn't stick around for autographs, though you can have "Last Supper" communion with him and his disciples at a separate "upper room" elsewhere in the park. (no joke) I asked Lisi if there was anything comparable to this back home in England. "Yes," she said. 'LSD."

The big show and a large exhibit featuring a giant model of ancient Jerusalem were all the Holy Land excitement our guests felt they needed. Mr. Russell wanted to go somewhere that he could get a (real) drink and some buffalo wings. So, off we went to The Wing House. (Yep, I also got to have lunch with them - very nice of them to let me come along.)

During lunch, we mostly talked about the park, and Lisi asked me questions about my own upbringing in both Pentecostal and Episcopal households. I also shared a little bit about my various Disney careers. (The two of them are going to the Magic Kingdom tomorrow - it will be Russell's first visit to a Disney park.) Ken was still rather quiet and reserved, and he was less than enthused about his next scheduled appearance - an interview at a local sex shop - the Fairvilla Adult SuperStore. "I don't really want to do that, do I?" he said, but it was too late to change.

I hope my presence today wasn't a nuisance. Chris did prompt me to tell Russell which of his films I liked best, and he patiently nodded and smiled, but honestly, he can't have cared too much.

On the other hand, he became quite animated when I mentioned that I had seen his recent short film "A Kitten For Hitler." (He made it essentially on a dare. British broadcaster Melvyn Bragg challenged him to come up with a script that couldn't possibly get made. When Bragg saw Ken's story treatment, he told Russell that if he were to ever make it, he would surely be taken to the nearest tree and hung. So, of course, Russell made it - in the form of an ultra low budget short - intended for the online Comedy Box website, it was quickly taken down. It's cheerfully offensive, and he took glee in pointing out that it had a "happy ending, very uplifting." I'll leave it to the reader's own discretion as to whether they want to track it down. It's very much not for everyone.)

After lunch, Chris took this picture of myself, Russell and Lisi. For them, it was on to the sex shop, and for me, it was on to the Sleuths Mystery Theater. I thanked them for letting me be part of their day, then asked Mr. Russell if he would mind signing the DVD of Tommy that I "just by chance" had in my bag. He did. It was very nice of him.

mousepod · 03-30-2009, 08:54 PM

More virtual snaps than I could possibly add here. What an awesome day! I'm glad you got a chance to do it!

Snowflake · 03-30-2009, 09:13 PM

Wow, that's absolutely mind blowing and awesome. How surreal, a day with Ken Russell at the Holy Land. Somebody should have made this a movie!

Daryl!

CoasterMatt · 03-30-2009, 09:24 PM

Absolutely awesome!

wendybeth · 03-30-2009, 10:18 PM

Heh heh....'LSD'. That about sums it up- what a great and out there day for you! Surreal, indeed.

Not Afraid · 03-30-2009, 11:15 PM

WOW! What a great day and such a wonderfully odd story - worthy of the Great Mr. Russell himself! I mean, Holy Land Theme Park???

Russell is one of my heros in the world of directors and Women in Love is on my top 10 list (although I really, really, really adore Lair of the White Worm and Gothic).

Thanks for sharing and kudos to your friend for making it possible.

€uroMeinke · 03-30-2009, 11:20 PM

THAT - is awesome. So happy you got to have this experience and share it with the rest of us, who bow in jealousy. Mojo Mojo Mojo

lashbear · 03-31-2009, 02:05 AM

[insert sound of dropping jaw here]
I'm glad you "just happened" to have that copy of Tommy handy.

Strangler Lewis · 03-31-2009, 04:54 AM

Way cool!

Moonliner · 03-31-2009, 06:52 AM

So I wonder, was he going there to revel in the irony or to try and score a few points before the buzzer?

03-30-2009, 08:45 PM	#1
flippyshark Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,852	I visited Orlando's Holy Land theme park with Ken Russell I certainly had an interesting day today. I got to meet the notorious Ken Russell, director of Women In Love, The Devils, Tommy, Lisztomania, Altered States, Gothic, Lair of the White Worm, The Rainbow, Whore, and lots more. I've long been a fan, and as I mentioned on the Miscellaneous Movie thread, a good friend of mine has been driving/ hosting/ assisting Mr. Russell while he's in town for the Central Florida Film Festival. So, last week when I talked to Chris, I asked her to let me know if there might be some time or place I could oh-so-casually encounter the man without being too intrusive. So, Chris tells me last Friday that Ken and his wife are very keen on seeing the Holy Land theme park here in Orlando. (It used to be run by the founder of Jews For Jesus, but is now owned by TBN - you may have seen the great big hair of Paul and Jan Crouch on the teevee.) I said to Chris that if such a thing occurred, I would leave my desk and pay park admission to witness such a bizarre confluence. Long story short(er), that's exactly what happened today. Chris told Ken Russell and his wife Lisi that a friend (me) might be joining them at the park, and they were gracious enough to say okay to my tagging along. It was very casual. I made it my policy not to "interview" or in any way pester Mr. Russell, and I was 98% good on that policy. Ken Russell is 82 years old, still writing, instructing young filmmakers at various universities, giving lectures and occasionally appearing on British reality TV shows. And he still makes films, but not at the big studios. He funds his own projects these days, and makes them on extremely low budgets at his own estate. These literal home movies show up online or on DVD, but they don't attract the attention or notoriety of his older work. (In truth, even loyal fans regard his recent films as a lark at best and an embarrasment at worst, not worth serious consideration as part of Russell's oeuvre. It's easy to see why, but I don't think Russell cares. He just likes to make films.) Chris introduced me to Mr. Russell and Lisi as they waited for one of the major shows at Holy Land. Ken gave me a friendly nod and a thumbs up when Chris introduced me. In general, he was quiet and low key, but kind, and patient with having a stranger like me tagging along. Lisi was a delight, very bubbly, funny and sweet. In this photo, Ken Russell and Lisi meet up with a fellow playing the shofar in front of a replica of the Qumran caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Mr. Russell really wanted to meet Jesus in person, but that proved unworkable. Here is Jesus in the "Passion of the Lamb," which is quite a production, and probably deserves its own thread. Both Ken and Lisi found it impressive if jaw-dropping. Jesus doesn't stick around for autographs, though you can have "Last Supper" communion with him and his disciples at a separate "upper room" elsewhere in the park. (no joke) I asked Lisi if there was anything comparable to this back home in England. "Yes," she said. 'LSD." The big show and a large exhibit featuring a giant model of ancient Jerusalem were all the Holy Land excitement our guests felt they needed. Mr. Russell wanted to go somewhere that he could get a (real) drink and some buffalo wings. So, off we went to The Wing House. (Yep, I also got to have lunch with them - very nice of them to let me come along.) During lunch, we mostly talked about the park, and Lisi asked me questions about my own upbringing in both Pentecostal and Episcopal households. I also shared a little bit about my various Disney careers. (The two of them are going to the Magic Kingdom tomorrow - it will be Russell's first visit to a Disney park.) Ken was still rather quiet and reserved, and he was less than enthused about his next scheduled appearance - an interview at a local sex shop - the Fairvilla Adult SuperStore. "I don't really want to do that, do I?" he said, but it was too late to change. I hope my presence today wasn't a nuisance. Chris did prompt me to tell Russell which of his films I liked best, and he patiently nodded and smiled, but honestly, he can't have cared too much. On the other hand, he became quite animated when I mentioned that I had seen his recent short film "A Kitten For Hitler." (He made it essentially on a dare. British broadcaster Melvyn Bragg challenged him to come up with a script that couldn't possibly get made. When Bragg saw Ken's story treatment, he told Russell that if he were to ever make it, he would surely be taken to the nearest tree and hung. So, of course, Russell made it - in the form of an ultra low budget short - intended for the online Comedy Box website, it was quickly taken down. It's cheerfully offensive, and he took glee in pointing out that it had a "happy ending, very uplifting." I'll leave it to the reader's own discretion as to whether they want to track it down. It's very much not for everyone.) After lunch, Chris took this picture of myself, Russell and Lisi. For them, it was on to the sex shop, and for me, it was on to the Sleuths Mystery Theater. I thanked them for letting me be part of their day, then asked Mr. Russell if he would mind signing the DVD of Tommy that I "just by chance" had in my bag. He did. It was very nice of him.
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03-30-2009, 08:54 PM	#2
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	More virtual snaps than I could possibly add here. What an awesome day! I'm glad you got a chance to do it! __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
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03-30-2009, 09:13 PM	#3
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Wow, that's absolutely mind blowing and awesome. How surreal, a day with Ken Russell at the Holy Land. Somebody should have made this a movie! Daryl!
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03-30-2009, 09:24 PM	#4
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	Absolutely awesome! __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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03-30-2009, 10:18 PM	#5
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	Heh heh....'LSD'. That about sums it up- what a great and out there day for you! Surreal, indeed. __________________
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03-30-2009, 11:15 PM	#6
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	WOW! What a great day and such a wonderfully odd story - worthy of the Great Mr. Russell himself! I mean, Holy Land Theme Park??? Russell is one of my heros in the world of directors and Women in Love is on my top 10 list (although I really, really, really adore Lair of the White Worm and Gothic). Thanks for sharing and kudos to your friend for making it possible.
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03-30-2009, 11:20 PM	#7
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	THAT - is awesome. So happy you got to have this experience and share it with the rest of us, who bow in jealousy. Mojo Mojo Mojo __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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03-31-2009, 02:05 AM	#8
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	[insert sound of dropping jaw here] I'm glad you "just happened" to have that copy of Tommy handy. __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
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03-31-2009, 04:54 AM	#9
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Way cool! __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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03-31-2009, 06:52 AM	#10
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	So I wonder, was he going there to revel in the irony or to try and score a few points before the buzzer? __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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