The Film Yap

It’s a pretty safe bet to assume you’ve never seen a film quite like “The Human Centipede.” In it, a mad German surgeon (Dieter Laser) abducts people with the goal of creating a human centipede, connecting people via their gastric system (surgically attaching one’s anus to the next’s mouth), forming a macabre daisy chain that is among the most starkly frightening images you’ll ever see in a movie.

It’s a concept that would make David Cronenberg puke in his mouth a little bit, but “Centipede” is the latest film festival darling and has the Hollywood underworld buzzing.

The Yap caught up with “Centipede” writer/director Tom Six, to talk about this unusual premise, it’s upcoming sequel, and how to get funding in a film where most everyone goes ass-to-mouth.

The Yap: So where in the world did this idea come from?

TS: Well, it’s a very simple idea. It came from a very sick joke I always made to friends or when we were watching television, I always would say “stitch his mouth to the ass of a very fat truck driver, and that would be a good punishment for him.” Of course that’s a horrible idea, but it’s a great idea for a horror film. So that’s how it all started.

The Yap: Did you find yourself having any problems getting the film funded and made?

TS: Yeah, but what we did, we did three films in Holland, so we got a couple of investors, and we told them we wanted to make a horror film, and we just told them it was about a surgeon who connects people, but we left out the words “ass to mouth,” because we knew if we said that we’d never get the film made. {laughs} But after we made the film and they saw it, they were very happy about it. They loved it. Otherwise, I don’t think it was getting made.

The Yap: I do want to talk a little about the dynamics of the film. The doctor is German, one of the victims is Japanese, and there are the two American women. Can you talk about integrating those different cultures into the film?

TS: Yeah, sure. I wanted two American nice ladies in the story, because I saw these cliche horror films in the ’80s about women who get into trouble. So I definitely wanted to use a stereotype cliches in the beginning, so I told them if they build up the cliche the impact will be way harder with the subject. Since those two girls are sewn to an ass, of course, they can’t speak to the doctor. So I chose a Japanese man, because I love Japanese horror films, but I chose a Japanese actor so he can’t communicate with the doctor, so he’s effectively speechless like the girls. So I took a German guy, because of the famous cruel Nazi doctors, so I thought the surgeon has to be German, and a Nazi-like surgeon.

The Yap: You mentioned the Japanese horror films, can you talk about some of your influences, particularly in making this film?

TS: Yes, yes. I really love the films of Takashi Miike, who did “Audition.” He makes a lot of weird films. Also the guy who directed “Haze,” I always forget his name but he’s a brilliant director.

The Yap: I understand you’re making a sequel already to “The Human Centipede.” Can you speak a little about that?

TS: Yeah, when I wrote the first one I had so many ideas that I could use. I felt like the whole idea was so sick that I had to get the audience used to the idea first. Now with the second one I can use all of my ideas, because the idea is already there. In the sequel it’s going to be 12 people (in the human centipede) and there are going to be some really crazy storylines in the sequel. I don’t want to spoil it yet, of course. At festivals I always tell everyone that this movie will be “My Little Pony” compared to the second one.

The Yap: I saw a comment from Entertainment Weekly where the writer posed the question of whether “The Human Centipede” was the most disgusting horror film of all time. True or not, that’s saying something.

TS: It’s incredible. I don’t know if that’s the answer, because I worked on this project for so long and know every detail that it almost sounds normal now. Every time I show it to people, I find that I’m having trouble separating it any more. It’s very bizarre. It’s almost an honor when they call it the most disgusting film ever made.

The Yap: The film is being released over here theatrically and on video-on-demand at the same time. What do you think about releasing on multiple platforms like that?

TS: The concept of simultaneous release? I love it. Of course you need some type of theatrical release to get all the attention, and the film is getting all of those power that way, but there are so many people who can’t go to theaters and can just watch it at home. I love the concept. I think it’s really from this age.

The Yap: Thank you very much for your time, and good luck with the movie.

TS: Thank you!