Italian performer/director Denis Marti announced this weekend that he has parted ways with Hustler Video.
"I want to express my gratitude for all the people working for Hustler Video in these past years," Marti said in an e-mailed statement. "It's been an experience, and I want to again thank the great Mr. Larry Flynt. I am launching a new production company, Face to Face Films, and will embark on a journey in the pursuit of producing movies that are a realization of my vision."
Hustler Video's Creative Director Drew Rosenfeld said, "Working with Denis has been a great experience, and we wish him all the best with his new endeavors."
Marti began his career in Europe as a protégé of performer Nacho Vidal. Crowned Best New Male Performer at Italy's Sexpo in 2001, he went on to earn four AVN award nominations including Male Foreign Performer of the Year 2003.
Hustler signed Marti to a three-year directing deal in December 2003. While under contract, Marti directed, produced and performed in Hustler's The ProfessiAnals, Riding the Curves, The Harder They Cum and The Porn Identity.
"At the beginning of March, I had a brief exchange with [LFP Video vice president] Jeff Hawkins and Drew Rosenfeld and it was obvious that my relationship with Hustler was over, even if my contract was not expired yet," Marti told AVN.com.
"It is something that has been discussed over a long period of time, too long maybe," Marti said of his decision to cut ties with LFP. "In a way, after Mark Hamilton left, and after the brief period when Kat Slater was at the helm of the video department, I felt like there was not the same feeling about my work over there anymore...and lately the company was showing less and less interest in supporting my movies."
With his new company, Marti hopes "to produce movies that can bridge the gaps between different genres in adult entertainment, and at the same time, create a crossover with other areas of show business."
Marti is currently in talks with several companies about distributing his future projects.
