Laura Gemser

Laura Gemser
Gemser in Black Emanuelle (1975)
Born
Laurette Marcia Gemser

(1950-10-05) 5 October 1950 (age 74)
Surabaya, Indonesia
Other namesEmanuelle
Moira Chen
CitizenshipDutch
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
  • costume designer
Years active1971–1993
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1976; died 1991)​

Laurette Marcia Gemser (born 5 October 1950) is an Indonesian-Dutch retired actress, model and costume designer.[1] She is primarily known for her work in Italian erotic cinema, most notably the Emanuelle series. Many of her films were collaborations with directors Joe D'Amato and Bruno Mattei.[1]

Gemser has also been credited as Moira Chen, most notably in Love Is Forever (1983).

Early life

Gemser left Indonesia in 1955, at the age of four, and moved with her parents to the Netherlands.[2] She grew up in the Dutch city of Utrecht, where she attended the MULO Regentesseschool high school. After that, she attended the Artibus Art School in Utrecht, where she specialised in fashion design.[2]

Career

After modelling in various magazines in the Netherlands and Belgium, in 1974 she moved to Italy to star in the erotic film Amore libero - Free Love.[3] The film was a box office success and launched Gemser's career. She played one of the masseuses in the 1975 film Emmanuelle 2 (aka Emmanuelle, The Joys of a Woman), and later that year took the starring role in Bitto Albertini's Black Emanuelle.[4] She starred in 5 Black Emanuelle films in less than three years.[5][2][3]

She starred as Laotian actress Keo Sirisomphone in Michael Landon's 1983 American television film, Love Is Forever, in which she was credited as Moira Chen. During the 1970s and 1980s, she made many movies with Joe D'Amato. Gemser continued to make films, at times working with her actor husband, Gabriele Tinti (m. 1976-1991). In the 1990s, she retired from films to work on costume designing for film, and completely vanished from the public life.[6] In 1990, she had made the costumes for what is considered one of the worst movies ever made, Troll 2.[7]

Filmography

Title Year Credited as Role Notes Refs.
Actor Costume designer Other
Amore libero - Free Love 1974 Yes Jeannie Credited as Emanuelle in the film. [8]
Black Emanuelle 1975 Yes Ema [9]
Emmanuelle 2 1975 Yes Masseuse [10]
Emanuelle in Bangkok 1976 Yes Emanuelle [11]
Emmanuelle on Taboo Island 1976 Yes Haydee [12]
Black Cobra Woman 1976 Yes Eva [13]
Smooth Velvet, Raw Silk 1976 Yes Emanuelle [14]
Voyage of the Damned 1976 Yes Estrede's lover [15]
Emanuelle in America 1977 Yes Emanuelle [16]
Crime Busters 1977 Yes Susy Lee [17]
Vow of Chastity 1977 Yes Iliana [18]
Sister Emanuelle 1977 Yes Suor Emanuelle [19]
Emanuelle Around the World 1977 Yes Emanuelle [20]
Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals 1977 Yes Emanuelle [21]
Porno Nights of the World [it] 1977 Yes Herself [22]
Emanuelle and the White Slave Trade 1978 Yes Emanuelle [23]
Emanuelle and the Porno Nights of the World [it] 1978 Yes Herself [24]
Emanuelle - A Woman from a Hot Country [it] 1978 Yes The Woman [25]
Voglia di donna 1978 Yes African Princess [26]
Exit 7 1978 Yes Air Hostess [27]
...And Give Us Our Daily Sex 1979 Yes Verónica's Friend [28]
Private Collections [fr; it] 1980 Yes Malinka [29]
Emanuelle, Queen of Sados 1980 Yes Emmanuella Brindisi [30]
International Prostitution 1980 Yes Tazzi [31]
Sexy Erotic Love 1980 Yes Eva [32]
Erotic Nights of the Living Dead 1980 Yes Luna [33]
Murder Obsession 1981 Yes Betty [34]
Love Camp 1981 Yes The Divine One [35]
The Bushido Blade 1981 Yes Tomoe [36]
Violence in a Women's Prison 1982 Yes Emanuelle Larson [37][38]
Invaders of the Lost Gold 1982 Yes Maria [39]
Ator, the Fighting Eagle 1982 Yes Indunn [40]
Caligula, the Untold Story 1982 Yes Myriam [41]
Messo comunale praticamente spione 1982 Yes Dottoressa Selenia Anselmi [42]
Emanuelle, Queen of the Desert 1982 Yes Sheila [43]
Love Is Forever 1983 Yes Keo Sirisomphone Credited as Moira Chen [44]
Women's Prison Massacre 1983 Yes Emmanuelle [45]
Endgame 1983 Yes Lilith Credited as Moira Chen [46]
Cauchemar 1983 Yes Never released [47]
The Alcove 1985 Yes Zerbal, the slave [48]
The Pleasure 1985 Yes Haunani [49]
Voglia di guardare 1986 Yes Josephine [50]
Top Model 1988 Yes Yes Dorothy/Eve [51]
Reflections of Light 1988 Yes Chiara [52]
La stanza delle parole 1989 Yes as Laurette Marcia Gemser [53]
Metamorphosis 1990 Yes Yes Prostitute as Laurette Gemser [54]
Beyond Darkness 1990 Yes as Laura M. Gemser [55]
Quest for the Mighty Sword 1990 Yes Yes Grimilde [56][57]
Troll 2 1990 Yes [58]
Body Moves 1990 Yes [59]
The Crawlers 1991 Yes [60]
Passion's Flower 1991 Yes Yes Scene designer [61]
11 Days, 11 Nights 2 1991 Yes Yes Jackie Forrest Wardrobe [62]
A Woman's Secret 1992 Yes [63]
Frankenstein 2000 1992 Yes [64]
Door to Silence 1992 Yes [65]

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b "Laura Gemser". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2015. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Article on Laura Gemser in Leeuwarder Courant, 5 February 1977
  3. ^ a b Gordiano Lupi, Laura Gemser e le altre. Edizioni Profondo Rosso, 2011. pp. 18–19.
  4. ^ Paul, Louis (2013). Italian Horror Film Directors. McFarland. p. 184. ISBN 978-0786487493. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  5. ^ www.critic.de (13 October 2020). "Emanuelle Around the World | Kritik". critic.de (in German). Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  6. ^ Gabriele (2 November 2020). "Ricordate Laura Gemser? Che fine ha fatto Emanuelle Nera - FOTO". Ck12 Giornale. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  7. ^ O'Brien, Jon (11 October 2020). "Why Troll 2 really is the best worst movie ever made". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Amore libero (1974)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Emanuelle nera n. 2 (1976)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  10. ^ Giacobetti, Francis (15 December 1975), Emmanuelle: L'antivierge (Drama, Romance), Trinacra Films, Orphée Arts, Parafrance Films, retrieved 4 July 2022
  11. ^ "Emanuelle nera - Orient Reportage (1976)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  12. ^ "La spiaggia del desiderio (1976)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  13. ^ "Eva nera". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Velluto nero (1976)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Voyage of the Damned". Filmportal.de (in German). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Emanuelle in America (1976)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  17. ^ "I due superpiedi quasi piatti". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  18. ^ "Voto di castità (1976)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  19. ^ "suor Emanuelle". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  20. ^ "Emanuelle - Perché violenza alle donne? (1977)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  21. ^ "Emanuelle e gli ultimi cannibali". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  22. ^ "Le notti porno nel mondo (1977)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  23. ^ "La via della prostituzione (1978)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  24. ^ "Emanuelle e le pornonotti (1978)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  25. ^ "La mujer de la tierra caliente [La donna della calda terra] (1978)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  26. ^ "Voglia di donna (1978)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  27. ^ Degelin, Emile, Exit 7 (Crime, Drama), Concorde Film, Deltacité, Spiralfilm, retrieved 4 July 2022
  28. ^ "Voglia di donna (1978)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  29. ^ Borowczyk, Walerian; Jaeckin, Just; Terayama, Shûji (27 June 1979), Collections privées (Drama, Fantasy), FFF-French Movies, Films du Jeudi, Les, Toei Company, retrieved 4 July 2022
  30. ^ Mylonakos, Ilias, I mavri Emmanouella (Crime, Drama), Andromeda International Films, Othellos Films, retrieved 4 July 2022
  31. ^ Gobbi, Sergio (18 June 1980), International Prostitution: Brigade criminelle (Drama), Alpes Cinéma, Continental Film Distributors (CFD), Ginis Films, retrieved 4 July 2022
  32. ^ "Porno Esotic Love (1980)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  33. ^ "Le notti erotiche (1980)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  34. ^ Curti 2017, p. 328.
  35. ^ Anders, Christian (10 April 1981), Die Todesgöttin des Liebescamps (Crime), Chranders, retrieved 4 July 2022
  36. ^ Kotani, Tsugunobu (19 June 1981), The Bushido Blade (Action, Drama, History), Rankin/Bass Productions, Toho, Trident, retrieved 4 July 2022
  37. ^ "Release". BFI Film & Television Database. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  38. ^ "Violenza in un carcere femminile (1982)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  39. ^ "* * Invaders of the Lost Gold [Horror Safari] (1982)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  40. ^ Kinnard & Crnkovich 2017, p. 198.
  41. ^ "Caligola... la storia mai raccontata (1982)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  42. ^ Bianchi, Mario, Messo comunale praticamente spione (Comedy), Cinevideo '80, retrieved 4 July 2022
  43. ^ "La belva dalla calda pelle". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  44. ^ "Love Is Forever" (in German). Filmportal.de. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  45. ^ "Blade Violent (1983)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  46. ^ "Endgame - Bronx lotta finale (1983)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  47. ^ Josipovici, Jean; Roussel, Gilbert, Cauchemar, retrieved 4 July 2022
  48. ^ "L'alcova (1985)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  49. ^ "Il piacere (1985)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  50. ^ "Voglia di guardare (1986)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  51. ^ "Top Model". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  52. ^ "Riflessi di luce". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  53. ^ Molè, Franco (5 June 1992), La stanza delle parole (Biography, Drama), Filmirage, Wind Film, retrieved 4 July 2022
  54. ^ Eastman, George (7 August 1990), Metamorphosis (Horror, Sci-Fi), Filmirage, retrieved 4 July 2022
  55. ^ Fragasso, Claudio (31 July 1990), La casa 5 (Horror), Filmirage, Production Group S.r.l., retrieved 4 July 2022
  56. ^ Kinnard & Crnkovich 2017, p. 202.
  57. ^ Kinnard & Crnkovich 2017, p. 203.
  58. ^ "Troll 2". American Film Institute. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  59. ^ "Hot Steps". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it (in Italian). Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  60. ^ Laurenti, Fabrizio; D'Amato, Joe (8 April 1994), Contamination .7 (Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller), Filmirage, retrieved 4 July 2022
  61. ^ "Passion's Flowers". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  62. ^ D'Amato, Joe (18 October 1991), Eleven Days, Eleven Nights 2 (Drama), Filmirage, Variety Film Production, retrieved 4 July 2022
  63. ^ "Woman's Secret - Il segreto di una donna (1992)". Archviodelcinemaitaliano.it. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  64. ^ D'Amato, Joe, Frankenstein 2000 - Ritorno dalla morte (Horror), Filmirage, retrieved 4 July 2022
  65. ^ Fulci, Lucio; D'Amato, Joe, Le porte del silenzio (Mystery, Thriller), Filmirage, retrieved 4 July 2022

Sources

  • Curti, Roberto (2017). Riccardo Freda: The Life and Works of a Born Filmmaker. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476628387.
  • Kinnard, Roy; Crnkovich, Tony (2017). Italian Sword and Sandal Films, 1908-1990. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476662916.
  • Shipka, Danny (2011). Perverse Titillation: The Exploitation Cinema of Italy, Spain and France, 1960–1980. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-4888-3.