Paul Hough

Legal scholars have debated about it, CONGRESS WANTS TO BAN IT, and LEWD wants to EMBRACE IT! What is it? BACKYARD WRESTLING! You have read in other publications about a documentary based around the world of BACKYARD WRESTLING. But where those other e-zines stopped, LEWD has decided to pick up the ball and run with it! Many of these other publications are afraid to PROMOTE this film! They are afraid to try and take a chance and promote backyard wrestling. They fear that the audience they cater too will get upset, and unsubscribe if they make the decision to SUPPORT this film!

LEWD doesn't cave in to any political ideologies, we do not run from supporting an art film, if we believe in it! Personally *I* have no problems with "Backyard Wrestling" as long as those doing it are over 18 or have their parents consent to perform in it. If the parents so choose to allow their sons and daughters to partake in this activity, THE GOVERNMENT has absolutely NO RIGHT to step in and deem it illegal and stop these activities (in my personal opinion). With that said I have recently conducted an interview with Paul Hough, who is filming a documentary on "Backyard Wrestling". Mr Hough is more elusive then Oliver Stone though! And consented to the interview but only if most of the direction of his film remained a mystery!

CJ: Many critics would suggest that your project ought to not make a debut, because the project is based around activities they think are 'illegal', 'immoral', and 'criminal'. With this said, do you hope to accomplish anything by releasing this film?

PHough: I'm a film-maker. I found a subject that would make a kick ass documentary -- because it has everything in it. Something that you'd watch and be amazed at. Now I'm not talking about just 'the public' (those outside of backyarding)...but backyarders too. This film has action, drama and comedy in it -- and I think will really paint a picture of what backyarding is about. I think a lot of people have a real misconception of what backyarding is -- which has been fueled by the media. This is a real behind the scenes look at it -- that looks at all sides, and lets you make your own opinion.

CJ: I for one am really looking forward to seeing this film! It has got my interest greatly. Especially since it is more or less, to me at least, going to be a film about 'American pop culture' more then a film about 'teenagers doing violent acts against each other in the backyards'. What is your personal opinion on the wrestling business? Do you think the many critics (PTC) are correct to insinuate violence is being marketed to the youth of America (as entertainment), and it is somehow "wrong"?

PHough: I think the wrestling business fuels the imagination. That's what got me hooked when I was a kid. You had two characters who were built up to be invincible -- then one day they would meet and you'd never know who would win. I think the best match of all time was The Ultimate Warrior vs Hogan at Wrestle Mania 6. Amazing. Is violence marketed to kids? Well -- yeah. But it always has been. Look at Tom and Jerry for instance. I think kids have to know not to copy what they see. As you grow up you realize what you should and shouldn't do. When you see Superman fly as a little kid -- you don't try and fly as much as you might fantasize about it -- because you know what will happen. If you read the bible do you go stone someone because you've seen it in your mind...Maybe I drifted a little here.. but I think parents should have control over their kids, but not via censorship of the programmers.

CJ: Don't get me started man! I could (and have) write a book about the ills of the media. Since you stated my exact feelings on the key issue, I'll skip ahead to the next question. Do you (as a fan) like pro wrestling more today as an art form or the past as an art form???

PHough: As a form of art the moves today out class those of yesteryear.

CJ: Well, that was quick and to the point! Gov. Ventura would be a fan. What are your political affiliations, if any? I ask because a film maker's background and political affiliations must be taken into consideration when viewing his art. It can tend to SKEW films.

PHough: None. My agenda is to myself. Since this is a documentary from someone who loves action films...sure...theres gonna be a ton of action in it. But it wouldn't be right to make this without presenting both views. There are very good positions on both pro and against backyarding -- but it is definitely not a black and white issue.

CJ: Yeah, just like life, everything shades of gray. Is this project being funded privately?

PHough: This is something at my own expense via my company Pure Entertainment, Inc.

CJ: Yeah, you said your film would 'include everything'. That will bring me to my next subject, probably the subject that most of LEWD'S readers have been waiting for: SEX. Do you think sexual content in pro wrestling is going too far today?

PHough: No -- not yet. I've always enjoyed it. But what I don't like is how a lot of 'groups' are often portrayed... for instance gays /midgets/non-Americans. Sometimes the WWF seems to be spreading hate -- which I think is irresponsible.

CJ: I personally disagree, but this isn't meant to be a debate. So I'll press on, What (If any) are your thoughts on the use of sexual content for entertainment?

PHough: Depends. Often makes things much more watchable.

CJ: And sometimes more interesting (in my opinion). I'd like to get an in depth look at WHO PAUL HOUGH IS! Can you put in to words, the answer to the question: WHO IS PAUL HOUGH?

PHough: Ok. I Am from London, England. Sold a thriller screenplay when I was 16 to Lord Lew Grade (Producer of Sophie's Choice, On Golden Pond) (which was featured in Vanity Fair's Hollywood edition a few years back)...which enabled me to go to NYU Film School in New York. I Loved it there but it wasn't really conducive to action filmmaking. I Graduated in 96 and went straight into directing a show called Reverse Angle on Fox Sports. It was a celebrity interview show that was really controversial because of what the celebrities would say. For example, we had a Baywatch girl come one and talk about how people masturbated to Baywatch...Ultimately we got banned in New York and then banned around the rest of the country. I Made a short action flick last year starring Geza Decsy and Erika Alexander (Living Single), and then directed entrance videos for David Mclane's Women Of Wrestling, as well as the swimsuit competition at the recent PPV. If the WWF developed more 'filmic' segments that would be a dream to direct...

CJ: Sounds like "Reverse Angle" would be my kind of show! Kind of a Howard Stern meets Pro-Sports! I'm all for that! You probably don't have any idea of the past interviews I have conducted with wrestlers, and other personalities. Typically I founded LEWD on the premise for being similar to how you explained "Reverse Angle". It was my drive to create a forum that could ask wrestlers 'f'd' up questions. Like, "Do you masturbate?". It got me banned from a few places online. So I know how you feel! Tell me, do you support backyard wrestling? I ask this not to get you to give away the film's point. And if you can't answer or do not want to answer this question, I totally understand and think our readers will too!

PHough: It really, really depends. The term 'backyarding' is too generic, because within that there are good backyarders, and bad backyarders. There are a lot of good things about backyarding, but can also be things against it. It really depends on who else is involved, and whether the people involved actually know what they're doing. There are some things I wouldn't encourage, and there are some things I love about it...At the start of THE BACKYARD there is a match called the 3 stages of Hell match. The 3rd stage is where the loser is put through a barbed wire plank, over a grave. The barbed wire has been set on fire! Did I love watching it? Definitely! Would I ever encourage someone to do it?..no way in hell!

CJ: That is where we may differ in opinion! Because I applaud it! I salute it! *IF* the parents allow their children to take part in the "backyarding" events, I'm all for it! If the parents don't, I will admit they have a 'right' and 'interest' to make sure their kids have nothing whatsoever do to with these events. Two more questions. DO you have any aspirations to make "motion pictures" in the future?

PHough: Yeah - my next project after this is a film called FACES AND HEEL -- which is action -- slated to start shooting in October on location in Scunthorpe, England and Connecticut, USA. Making a documentary never really appealed to me, because I've always just wanted to tell fictional stories. However when I realized how I could tell the story of backyard wrestling in a really, really cool way, I really got into it. It should be one hell of a compelling watch.

CJ: I certainly will be looking forward to watching it! Lastly, WHO would you consider the greatest film maker in the history of making films? I ask this because I tend to think from an artistic standpoint, Spike Lee and Oliver Stone are high on my personal list.

PHough: Without a doubt -- Alfred Hitchcock.