MORB 4

'There is really nothing I can say except that I never want to think or speak about that movie again.'

How far is too far? Over the course of Morb, people have obviously differed with their limits, some finding hilarious what others found traumatising. I think with Morb 4, everybody was pretty much in the same boat.

'Not only was the line crossed tonight, it was beaten, decapitated, raped and murdered.'



Some people had felt Morb 3 was a little too light, gory and gruesome but too fun. I'll show THEM, I said to myself. I really, really, don't know what I was thinking. The film in question takes a while to get going but then is just relentless. I'd watched it myself at home for quality control and while it was pretty disturbing, it was manageable. To be honest, because of its reputation, I was actually a little disappointed. But then, in the venue, on a big screen, with pounding music and a horrified audience, it became a different beast altogether.

'To say that it was one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen does not nearly go far enough. The whole setting and atmosphere made it the most affecting and powerful movie experience I have ever had.'

Sitting in the middle of the group, seeing and feeling reactions and suddenly remembering what was going to happen at the end of the scene we were watching, I started to PUMP sweat. The wave of shock and guilt that washed over me was overwhelming. Looking at people's horrified reactions, tears in some cases, hands that wouldn't come away from covering their faces, people literally squirming in their seats, faces directed at the floor instead of the screen, it was pretty horrifying. What was worse was knowing the film was only getting started and there was a good hour left of sheer depravity.



'At my first experience at Morb the group made their way at dusk to a space off a northside alley. Everything in the room was painted in white. I was very eager to see the picture but I soon found myself sitting through one of the most horrendous things I have ever or would ever want to see. Every time I considered leaving I told myself I could maybe stay because it couldn't get any worse, but it continually became increasingly sickening with every scene. For weeks after attending Morb I felt as if my heart had been replaced by an ice cold tin of coke - which had been shaken up and was on the constant verge of exploding. I was despondent and irritable to friends and co-workers. I don't think I have been able to get a proper night's sleep since seeing the film. I think that Peter Dunne should arrested or at least ostracized by society. Maybe he could be shipped to Siberia, or Serbia even. I will definitely be at the next one.'

This time around, the venue was THESHED, a truly perfect setting, the room filled with furniture and objects all painted white, the ceiling partially glass, looking up you see streetlights reflected across the roof. Walking to the venue and taking that sudden turn into the lane shook a few people. I couldn't have asked to work with lovelier, more helpful people than McBett and the people at the space and I sincerely hope I haven't traumatised them.

http://mcbett.net/?page_id=72



'I don't want to see, hear, or think about Morb or what it stands for ever again! By far the most disturbing film I have every seen - perhaps because I have a child but I didn't think people could think up shit like that let alone script it, find actors, film it and then put it about for public viewing - I guess we have you to find these things and share with us!'

As soon as the film ended, I didn't have the usual rush of pride or excitement, I sat there a little numbed wondering what had I just done. I received a few shocked looks and some people almost fled the room.



'I actually cried from thinking about it the night after watching, not on the night as I guess I was still in shock. I could only just about mention the name of the film we were subjected to before clamming up and not uttering a word about it unless it was to someone who had watched it, but none of them really want to talk about it for fear of dredging up the memory.'

'Nightmares alllll night.'

'Thanks for the movie last night,Peter, mentally scarred for life.'

Afterwards some of us went for a much needed drink which definitely helped to break the tension and the group began to laugh a little about the experience. Had I managed to warp them a little? I hope so!

'We all look visibly shaken - like we've just been through a traumatic incident, like a plane crash - but we've all survived and now share a cautiously happy camaraderie.'



In the long run, well actually, about an hour afterwards, I was glad I did it. It was pretty wild at times but there was a real feeling of being at the heart of something big, a true horror film. The audience who were there will probably be among the only people in this country to see that film in its entirety on a big screen, with other people around them. It was taking something dirty and nasty and evil and secret and throwing it onto a screen for a very rare shared experience. Morb, basically.

'That was tough going and I feel emotionally fucked...but I actually thought it was a really good film strangely. It was more realistic and disturbing than the other Morb films and had much more effect.'

'Whoa. I tell ya, it's a braver man that's picking these films! A chilling choice and watching the audience was a fascinating way to look at the range of reactions people have to true horror.'

No one who was there, especially me, will forget it any time soon. I really believe when the film is mentioned in the future, people will look back and give a little inward shudder and always remember where they were when they had seen it or else give a fond giggle at the memory (if they have been as warped as I hope).





'I can still remember each venue for its' distinctly unique atmosphere and of course the unsettling film that accompanied it. Morb's movies are not the kind I would naturally seek out but the experience overall makes it one of a kind. Thanks Morb... I think.'

Oh, and what was the movie? Wouldn't you like to know.

PUTRID DUNNE