Interview with Sativa Verte
By: Arthur Jefferson

Routinely engaged to pose for nude and fetishistic photography, Sativa Verte is opting for another professional venue: she's developing an acting apprenticeship via a circuitous route into boot camp called horror movies. The ultra-low budget stuff. Though required to play the perennial "damsel-in-distress" in photos and videos, Ms. Verte yields to type only in a professional capacity. Addressed with questions about the genre, the torrid model is very much her own woman: ingenuous, completely unbridled, an infectious sense of humor. She should be encouraged to transfer her own "bad girl" brio into the current crop of stale "sex begets sadism" scripts: trust me, Verte would function as a genuine air freshener. Once she graduates to B-budgets, the tempestuous starlet may be the new generation's Michelle Bauer (their careers do, indeed, parallel); one suspects Verte may eventually abdicate from her "queen of kink" sovereignty to reinvent the erotic components that so desperately require exploration in the Horror Cinema. One can only hope...

Arthur Jefferson: You were cast in a horror film titled KNIGHT OF THE PEEPER. Could you offer us some insight on your role? And did the "poverty row" prove to be any sort of handicap?
Sativa Verte: My basic role was "the hot chick that gets killed" but, if you looked past the sexual teasing, the story line had more details about my character. I was a descendant of the "nipple biting knight" whose body laid dead beneath my home; hence, when my blood seeps through the crack in the basement down to the knight's gave, he arises. Being the budget was low, there wasn't any sort of real handicap on set: we were treated well, provided good wages, had food and snacks throughout the day and made a new family I could trust. All in all, I think it was a great start for Power of 3 productions and Sativa Verte! Thanks ya'll!

AJ: You also nailed a role in a film titled VAMPIRE VOYEUR. Could you describe your character? Sorry to belabor the point but, as an apprenticing actress, how do you acclimate yourself to a tiny budget?
SV: My role was a little more sexually involved than KNIGHT OF THE PEEPER. I believe VAMPIRE VOYEUR is going to be released very soon-they are in the process of boxing them. I played the role of a job applicant that has a very steamy love scene with her seducer, Jackie Stevens. After editing, I was told the final cut of my scene was hilarious and the hottest scene! I like working in low budget, and taking more of a role, because I have more fun doing that than being an extra in mainstream creations. I'm really open-minded, and an easy person to get along with, so the change wasn't really any sort of deal to me because I knew I would be happy.

Sativa Verte

AJ: What specifically is rewarding about working in low budget films?
SV: I would say the experience, expressing my talent to a different audience, and building these life-long connections I will cherish. Oh yeah, and I love the fans I've met through starring in low budget films!

AJ: You were featured in CARLITO'S WAY: RISE TO POWER. The cast, in this prequel to CARLITO'S WAY, included Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs and Mario Van Peebles. How did you draw a role in this movie?
SV: I have nice tits-and thanks to Meredith at AmeriFilms Casting in New York City for calling me up to audition. I was a topless dancer and got to hang around some big name people, but didn't have a speaking role. Good enough for me, I love dancing naked! And, no, I did not see P. Diddy.

AJ: You admit an addiction to the MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATRE 3000 television series: why did the show appeal to you and which is your favorite episode?
SV: Were you checking out my myspace page? (laughs). I love the episode were the (ro)bots ridiculed ANGELS REVENGE (aka ANGELS' BRIGADE), a 1979 movie that was a spoof of CHARLIE'S ANGELS. The girls bust drug deals and use their sexy looks to save the day. Rolling up a joint and watching that episode is a favorite pastime. I love Mike (i.e. series host Michael J. Nelson)-kisses!!!

AJ: Please identify your own favorite horror films...
SV: FRIGHT NIGHT, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, IT, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, TAXI DRIVER, THE HAUNTING (1963), all Freddy movies-he's hot-and anything by Alfred Hitchcock. Then there's FLATLINERS, POLTERGEIST, the TALES FROM THE CRYPT (HBO) television series, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, DREAMCATCHER, THE EXORCIST, CHILD'S PLAY, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, GREMLINS, BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, old school Frankenstein flicks-and does CLOCKWORK ORANGE count as "horror"? That movie creeped me out for awhile, too!

AJ: Do you enjoy "splatter"? I'm talking about intense gore a la HOSTEL, the HILLS HAVE EYES remake and Lucio Fulci movies. Or do you prefer horror films that lean on psychological appeal (i.e. more implied violence, a la SEVEN)?
SV: I did not like that remake of the HILLS HAVE EYES...in fact, I've only turned off one other movie in my life (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING) and this was the second one. It was plain stupid and fucked up. So I'm going with psychological appeal vs. blood and guts-but this is a plus!

AJ: With the advent of films like THE RING and THE DESCENT, do you think women's roles-within the horror film genre-are becoming more progressive?
SV: I would say, in early films, women were looked at as evil succubi; now, however, we are heroes and play important roles!

From KNIGHT OF THE PEEPER

AJ: One may assume that you have no problem with nudity. In regard to movie and video-related roles, have you ever been reluctant to peel for the camera? Do you regard nudity as a turn-on or a freedom of expression?
SV: I have never been reluctant to peel-off the dainties because I always understand and know what I'm getting myself into. Nothing is a surprise to me when I arrive at the shoot, I know every last detail and bring an escort. I regard nudity as a form of expressing my comfort with my body and because I'm a nudist-not a nut.

AJ: Which scene, from a horror film, would you describe as "the most erotic"?
SV: RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD when the punk chick (Linnea Quigley) talks about being lusted after by a group of men. Well, when the dead come to life, her wish comes true. I loved seeing how horny she got from talking about being felt and desired by all these men, while her perfect body was naked. That got me horny!

AJ: Do you think the "damsel-in-distress" syndrome is critical to horror films or do you think the imperiled heroine will fade as a result of political correction?
SV: I sense this is a classic character in movies and books...plus, it adds a hint of BDSM fetish to the movie; so, yes, I think it is critical to have this character in horror films. It is a complete stereotype and I can understand why feminist would be upset about this but-come on!-women in distress are hot!

AJ: Who is your favorite "horror writer"?
SV: Very generic: Stephen King and, while growing up, R.L. Stine.

AJ: What, exactly, are your professional goals?
SV: Mainly to continue doing work I'm happy with, and getting to travel the world to shoot in unique locations.

AJ: One of your peers, Misty Mundae (aka Erin Brown), had graduated from poverty row budgets (EROTIC MIRROR, VIBRATING MAID) to more mainstream films (directed by Lucky McGee in MASTERS OF HORROR). Would you prefer your own career to adhere to a similar pattern?
SV: Yes I want to go from low budget to mainstream so I can get myself a damn secretary, already! (laughs) Not to mention once your at the top, you are 100% in charge.

AJ: Last year concluded with 007's comeback (CASION ROYALE). Which actress or character is your favorite "Bond girl"?
SV: Never watched 007, is that bad? I've only seen the ones released in the 90's-not my cup of tea when it comes to movie selection.