Hollywood has been using exploitation films as money making vehicles since the very beginning, but the features we generally think of as exploitation films are those schlocky sci-fi and horror flicks shown in grindhouse theaters beginning in the 1960s.
These films set the precedent for shocking audiences with the use of sex, gore and rock n roll, and they also changed the face of that most important piece of print advertising- the movie poster.
Nicolas Winding Refn, director of Bronson, Drive and the upcoming Neon Demon, has been collecting exploitation movie posters for so long he doesn't know what to do with them all.
So when a friend suggested he share them with the world he decided the best way to do that would be with a book.
His upcoming book The Act Of Seeing will feature over 300 full color plates showing off those colorful early exploitation film posters in all their cheesy glory, with recaps and color commentary by journalist Alan Jones.