What is Morb?
On Tuesday 23rd November, 20 people were given directions to meet in a bar before 8 in the evening, whereupon they were shuttled off to a secret location. No phones, no contact, no clue what was in store, they were lead into a completely dark building, the metal door bolted behind them and made to follow a pulsing blue light down deserted corridors.
'Mad experience, well done you. Congrats, I'm scarred'.
At the end of one of the corridors lay a sterile, cold room lit only by the light of a projector beaming a square of white light on the wall. People took their deliberately uncomfortable seats, nervously giggling and squirming.
And the film began.
'You done good.
Thanks for putting those creepy images into my brain forever.
It brought misogyny to a whole new level.
The location, atmosphere and mystery surrounding the adventure was all beyond top class. Thanks for all the lovely touches. A great treat on this Winter's night.
The film itself is relentless in its violence.'
What was the film? We'll get to that later.
'It was terrific, had weird dreams though'.
Morb is my antidote to anodyne, cool cinema. Taking its influence from the original Midnight Movies of the 1970s, such as El Topo and Pink Flamingoes, Morb asks what is today's Midnight Movie? We are so jaded what could possibly affect us? Morb attempts to provide the answer.
'Last night was an interesting experience to say the least which I thoroughly enjoyed. The setting for the film was SO eerie and the entry up to the projection room in the dark was excellent as it set the mood. The chairs may well have been the most uncomfortable I have ever sat on however this mirrored the chair in the movie which I felt was extremely clever of you..... you obviously did this on purpose....The movie was shocking but a real mind fuck, it's been ages since I had two very polarized opinions of the same film.'
To be totally overcome by the discomfort and fear of the experience and to add to the excitement, no one apart from myself knew what the film would be. With the help of the marvellous Claire Behan, who provided the suitable location and the requisite mood, it became a total immersion in the theme and outlook of the film.
'Watching a movie became more of an experience. Preceded with a meet and greet, quick trip to the secret location, rolling shutters, dark stairwells, led by torchlight, the perfect prelude to a truly engaging film.'
So what was the film? In an ironic way, the film almost became secondary to the experience as almost anything projected onto the wall would have been effective, but anyway -
'Underground cinema is making a comeback in our very own Dublin. Tonight Peter Dunne & Morb brought us a secret screening of the truly depraved 'Martyrs'. The very secret and very dark location guaranteed the atmosphere the film deserved.
I'm suggesting back-to-back 'Care-Bears' for Morb's next screening.'
Will Morb happen again? Oh yes, that was just a beginning with some secretly invited guinea pigs. But what comes next?
Watch this space.
'Thanks ever so much for Morb's viewing of Martyrs last night, I'd never normally pick out a movie like that to watch myself and enjoyed that I could share the experience of the night you arranged with so many others!!! Hope you enjoyed it too Can't wait for the next one, be it the directors cut of Martyrs or care bears.'
'What a brilliant night and idea in general. Secret locations and films! Loads of random faces enjoying art.'
' I'd say the director knows his Sontag.
"with a look on his upturned face as ecstatic as that of any Italian Renaissance Saint Sebastian'.
'Never has being skinned alive seemed so sexy! '
PUTRID DUNNE
