EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977)

• Director: Bert I. Gordon
• Cast: Joan Collins, Robert Lansing, John David Carson
• Film: 89mins | USA | Subtitles | Intermission
• Event: 20:45 – 23:15 [18+]

Land developer Marilyn Fryser tries to sell phoney real estate deals in an area overrun by giant radioactive ants.

“THEY SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH… SOONER THAN YOU THINK!”

GIRL TRASH hits rock bottom (or is it actually a stepping stone to stardom?) with gutter trash gem EMPIRE OF THE ANTS (1977). We’ll be celebrating the career low-point that became a turning point for GIRL TRASH GODDESS Joan Collins.

Double dealing land developer Marilyn Fryser (Collins) has a dastardly plan – take a bunch of unsuspecting clients on a luxury boat trip, and sell them a prime beachfront paradise that’s actually worthless swampland. But there’s a surprise in store for the group… GIANT RADIOACTIVE ANTS.  

EMPIRE OF THE ANTS represented the absolute nadir of Joan Collins’ career. Her work had dried up, her agent was avoiding her calls, and she’d recently signed up for unemployment benefits. On top of that the production was a nightmare, with on-set injuries, pressure for the actors to perform stunts themselves and a 30 minute boat ride to the nearest bathroom. But Joan was the type to create her own opportunities. For months she’d been schlepping ‘The Stud’ – the script she’d convinced her sister Jackie to write – and it was at the EMPIRE OF THE ANTS premiere at Cannes (yes really!) that she finally found the producer who’d take it on. 

Proof that sometimes you have to wade through the swamp (and fight some giant ants) to get where you’re going. 

EMPIRE OF THE ANTS marks a return to BAR TRASH for director and lo-fi SFX maestro Bert I. Gordon, aka “Mr B.I.G.”, one of B-movie cinema’s most determined purveyors of giant monsters including THE AMAZING COLOSSAL MAN (1957) and THE FOOD OF THE GODS (1976).

Polite notice: We are showing the uncut version of EMPIRE OF THE ANTS with subtitles from the best available digital source. You really won’t believe your eyes…

/// GIRL TRASH celebrates the femme filmmakers of trash and exploitation cinema, hosted by Zodiac Film Club and Token Homo. All films are served with introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles / captions where possible. Tickets from £3.50 + fees. Adults 18+ only. Follow @zodiacfilmclub and @tokenhomo on Instagram for info and updates. Please contact the venue for access information. ///

Programme supported by Film Hub London, managed by Film London. Proud to be a partner of the BFI Film Audience Network, funded by the National Lottery. www.filmlondon.org.uk/film-hub-london