Xavier Mendik is widely recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the realm of cult cinema, particularly with regards to Italian cult cinema and the tumultuous Years of Lead. His extensive body of work includes the critically acclaimed documentary "That's La Morte: Italian Cult Cinema and the Years of Lead" (2018),which delves into the fascinating world of Italian cult cinema during the Years of Lead.
In addition to his work on Italian cult cinema, Mendik has also made significant contributions to the of field horror cinema. His documentary "Tax Shelter Terrors" (2017) offers a thought-provoking examination of the tax shelter era in Canadian cinema, a period marked by a surge in low-budget horror film production.
Furthermore, Mendik has also explored the intersection of state, society, and the horror film in his work. His magnum opus, "The Quiet Revolution: State, Society and the Canadian Horror Film - Part One: Gimme Shelter: Cinepix and the Birth of the Canadian Horror Film" (2019),is a sweeping narrative that chronicles the birth of the Canadian horror film industry and its relationship to the country's Quiet Revolution. This meticulously researched tome offers a nuanced exploration of the complex interplay between government policies, social change, and the evolution of the horror film genre in Canada.
