Interview with Andreas Zerr

TV Interview!

 

Andreas Zerr (from his website)

Interview with director Andreas Zerr of the film “Sane Inside Insanity” by Suzanne 9/11/25

Speaking with Andreas about his “Rocky Horror Show” documentary was fascinating. I’ve enjoyed the cult movie and its music since the 70’s. It’s worth watching his film, whether you’re a fan of the play/movie/album or not.  It’s hard to believe that it’s been 50 years since it was first out…  The first half of the doc focuses on the development of the play and movie, and the second half is all about the fans (particularly the “shadow casts,” who dress up every weekend in RHPS costumes and relive the movie).

If you didn’t live through that era, it might be hard to imagine it, but the movie was very shocking at the time to many people who were not comfortable with the LGBTQ+ community (or anyone who dressed in costume, for that matter). Younger people often embraced it.  From what I’ve seen, Rocky Horror Fans tended to be either part of that LGBTQ+ group, or they were scifi/horror fans. Both groups know what it’s like not to fit in (especially back then).

I didn’t dress up for Rocky Horror, and I only saw the movie a couple of times, but I had friends and family who really got into it and went to the midnight showings in San Diego often. This happened all over the world.

 

"Sane Inside Insanity" key artMORE INFO:  Official Site  Trailer

SANE INSIDE INSANITY,  the unofficial, unauthorized and unbiased documentary about The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 50 years after it became an unlikely cult classic!

Few films have had the cultural staying power of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. What began as a quirky stage play in 1970s London became a global phenomenon that reshaped film, fashion, punk, musical theater, and even the early LGBTQIA+ movement.Photos from "The Rocky Horror Show" play, from the "Sane Inside Insanity" press kit.

Set for release on September 25, to coincide with the film’s 50th anniversary, SANE INSIDE INSANITY, chronicles Rocky Horror’s unlikely rise through never-before-seen interviews and rare archival footage. Rather than a documentary full of platitudes, director Andreas Zerr’s film offers a warts-and-all approach that is as much a celebration of the cult classic as it is a critique about the unhappier and more serious parts of its story.

Andreas and his team spent more than a decade capturing candid conversations with the original cast Photos from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" movie, from the "Sane Inside Insanity" press kit.and creative figures, including Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Barry Bostwick, Jim Sharman, Sal Piro, Richard Hartley and Sue Blane— and many others who had never shared their stories on camera until now.

The film goes beyond nostalgia, examining Rocky Horror’s role as a cultural lightning rod. It shows how a low-budget production not only survived but thrived for over five decades, captivating millions around the world. Filmed across the UK, Europe, Australia and the United States, the journey concludes in New York City—the birthplace of Rocky Horror’s legendary midnight screenings.

BIO: Andreas Zerr is known for SANE INSIDE INSANITY – The Phenomenon of Rocky Horror (2025), Nussbraun (2010) and Bali: 1000 Faces of an Island (2013).Shadow cast members Oakley Court Tim & Claudine (photo from "Sane Inside Insanity" press kit)

Born in Hamburg, Germany, in February 1971, he began his career as a marketing manager at Apple from 1999 to 2002. Driven by a passion for creativity, he transitioned into the film and television industry as a freelance editor. His talent and dedication quickly earned the trust of his clients, who encouraged him to take on roles as a producer and director. In 2012, Andreas founded his own production company “PIXELGALAXIE”, which he successfully managed until 2020. After selling his shares of the company to his long-term business partner, he returned to self-employment, focusing on producing and directing his own films and documentaries. Today, Andreas continues to bring compelling stories to life with his expertise and vision.

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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