Stephen Sayadian

Stephen Sayadian, also known as Rinse Dream is a writer, production-designer and director active in the 1980s and 1990s. His films and videos have a small but rabid cult following throughout the United States and Europe. Sayadian's spare but imaginative productions skillfully blends cinema and performance art techniques.

He began his career as a Creative Director for Larry Flynt Publications. His satirical and bizarre style was instrumental in the development and success of Hustler Magazine. He is best known for his stylish, surrealistic, and off-kilter approach to videos and films such as Café Flesh, Nightdreams parts 1, 2, and 3, and Party-Doll-A-Go-Go parts 1 and 2. His work is now considered highly innovative and ahead of its time, in many ways anticipating the later wave of alt porn that emerged in the early 2000s. Café Flesh, in particular, stands out for its strong production values and detailed plot, elements rarely seen in adult films. The film was a smash hit on the midnight-movie circuit for many years. He also co-wrote, designed and directed the 1989 cult movie Dr. Caligari, a remake of the 1919 silent classic. The film premiered as an opening night selection (Midnight Madness) at the Toronto Film Festival and despite its minuscule budget and outrageous approach garnered excellent reviews from mainstream critics.

In addition to film and video, he's designed and directed for network television, MTV and the legitimate stage. As a print art director he's collaborated on numerous motion-picture one-sheets including films by Brian De Palma, John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper. His print work has appeared in many publications including Zoom.

Further reading

• "The Surreal Visions of Rinse Dream" Ultra Violent Magazine issue 4
• Smith, Jacob. "Sound and Performance in Stephen Sayadian's Night Dreams and Café Flesh" The Velvet Light Trap #59 (Spring 2007).
• "Dr. Caligari", in: Gods In Spandex: A Survivors' Account Of 80s Cinema Obscura. (UK: Succubus Press, 2007)

External links

• Stephen Sayadian at the Internet Movie Database
• Stephen Sayadian at the Internet Adult Film Database
• Rinse Dream, bio at Excalibur VOD.