Bernard Launois

Bernard Launois is a notable figure in the French exploitation film scene, recognized for his work as a director, screenwriter, and actor, often credited under the alias Bob Gary. Born in Mézières, France, Launois initially pursued a degree in pharmacology but eventually shifted his focus to filmmaking.

His career began in the 1950s when he took on roles as a trainee editor and assistant director, eventually joining Paramount's programming department in Paris in 1953. Throughout the 1960s, Launois collaborated with various film distribution and production companies, including Parafrance and Les Films Copernic. In 1979, he established Lancaster Film to produce and finance his creative projects. Alongside directing, he contributed to the industry by editing film trailers and taking on supporting roles in films.

Launois made his directorial debut with "Unleash the Bitches" in 1972, a film he managed to write in just three days. He founded Delta Films and expanded his influence in the industry by acquiring a four-theater multiplex in 1987. After stepping back from active filmmaking at the end of the 1980s, his final feature, "Devil Story," emerged as a cult classic, celebrated for its notoriety as one of cinema's most poorly received films. In 2021, the film was restored in 4K resolution and released on Blu-ray by Vinegar Syndrome, cementing Launois's legacy in film history.