Richard Banks has been involved in adult production for almost 10 years now, after working a long stint in mainstream.
As an avid fan of porn, the videographer Banks admittedly found the directors at the production company Evil Angel to be the most redeeming, and felt, among them, the Hungarian director Christoph Clark the most consistently and erotically interesting. As Banks simply puts it “to me, he created some uberly spankable stuff.”
Banks grew up studying Russian, and always had a fondness for European films, so it had always been a dream of his to travel to Eastern Europe, and finally in 2004, he managed to spend a month there and create content for his own fledgling company and website, www.aintcheating.com. At that point, Banks stayed in Prague and never made it to Hungary, a place where he had hoped to meet his directorial hero, Clark.
While Banks was shooting James Avalon’s third installment for Red Light District’s Film division, he chatted with performer Manuel Ferrara and, as well shared notes on their most important porn influences. Banks mentioned his infatuation with Clark’s work, and Ferrara, according to Banks, “began to dial his cell phone. It just so happened that Clark was in town shooting."
Later that week, Clark and Banks were able to meet, and Banks was invited by Clark to come to Hungary and help him produce his next feature, Christoph Clark’s Obsession.
“Christoph seemed to be impressed by my quiet, gentlemanly demeanor and liked my pedigree of professional experience,” Banks said. Moreover, these were qualities that Banks admired in Clark.
Since Clark shoots his own product, Banks didn’t really know how he’d be helping out, until his arrival in Hungary. Tiffany Mynx also traveled to Eastern Europe for the week of production, and Banks made sure to help chaperone her.
Once in Budapest, Banks realized that Clark needed counsel with his new camera, as well as someone to shoot the behind the scenes for the DVD extras. Banks reflected, “I couldn’t help think that I was also possibly there to give the positive energy and feedback of an avid fan. For me, it was an incredible opportunity to see how my hero worked and uncover what I hoped would be ‘great porn secrets.'”
Banks continued by saying that “while Christoph will always remain a hero in my eyes and now a friend in my heart, the secrets unveiled were not what I had expected. It really came down to one hard and fast rule – work. I have never seen anyone in porn work like Christoph. He never once allowed things to go sub par. Always on his toes and with the energy of a 12-year-old, Christoph ran circles around everyone with the intent of making good stuff. There were no PA’s, no PM, no wardrobe…he managed the paperwork, dressed the talent and cleaned up the messes.”
Banks also commented that Clark would act out all the parts and positions, as Banks puts it, “the dramatic moments as well as the sexual action. His [Clark’s] comedic expression and jovial nature always had the crew cracking smiles, even when Christoph turned a little hot under the collar.”
The fact that Clark’s demands were so consistent and uncompromising really caught Banks' attention. “I had always heard that European porn sets were usually fraught with longer hours and less hospitable conditions than our US counterparts,” he told AVN.com. “I’m not sure the American gals and guys are ready for someone so intent on being professional and demanding.”
Banks went on to say that Mynx, however, “did really because she’s such a cool chic. [Mynx] ended up with a cold at the end of the week and was unable to complete her scenes, but Christoph was amazingly calm and caring considering the circumstances.”
“Christoph was an absolute gentleman,” Banks recalled, “and treated everyone with utmost respect. He had friends from France and Italy, myself and Tiffany from the US and every night made sure we were well fed and happy before bidding us goodnight.”
After the production Clark invited Banks to join him in Berlin for the Venus Show.
"At the show, he made sure I was introduced to VIP’s that might help me on my way," Banks said. "Christoph knew everybody and it seemed everybody…adored him.”
On his last evening in Berlin, Banks was invited to dine with Sylvia Saint, and Evil Angel founder John Stagliano, among others. “It was an incredible opportunity and…I found that I had made an amazing friend – someone I will cherish forever,” he said.
Christoph Clark’s Obsession is four hours of BBBBB/GG, BB/GGG, G/G scenes, with a six-guy, eight-girl grand finale.
It will be available in January, and stars Mynx, Saint, Aarah James, Katy Caro, Valentina Velasques, Katsumi, Kyra Banks, Sabrina Rose, Janet Joy, Mandy Bright and Steve Holmes.
Photo of Mynx and Clark in Budapest courtesy of Banks.
