Mordum is the second film in the trilogy, and is widely regarded as one of the sickest movies ever made.
#MURDER SET PIECES TOETAG SERIAL#
Toe Tag Pictures have been a leading force in underground horror for over a decade now thanks to the success of these movies, which chronicle the exploits of a group of serial killers as they torment, torture, rape, and murder without remorse, filming their atrocities along the way. In the realms of extreme cinema, the August Underground trilogy has received notoriety for being as depraved as it gets.
If you’re seeking some horror that’s more extreme, experimental, odd and adventurous then these are a terrific starting point.
This list gives a brief overview of 20 that are well worth your time should you decide to embark on a journey into cinemas lesser explored terrains. Underground horror isn’t for everyone, but if you’re willing to do some digging, there’s no telling what kind of treasures you might discover. Underground horror pushes filmmakers to think outside the box and allows them 100% creative freedom with their projects. With the constraints that come with operating on a limited budget, it’s easy to dismiss these films as amateur and incompetent, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Shot on shoestring budgets, mostly self-distributed, and reliant on word-of-mouth for promotion, these films are as DIY as you can get. In October 2010, Toetag released Sella Turcica.Underground horror is the epitome of independent cinema. In 2009, Toetag began work on another effort, MaskHead, directed by Rebecca Swan, the co-author of Cigarette Burns. TTP released the film's trailer without any prior press or announcement of its production, and released the film on DVD in April 2009. The studio began the production of their 5th film in their new location, a new approach to the Mondo film entitled Murder Collection V.1. Toetag then decided to stay headquartered in Pittsburgh and moved to a large warehouse in the city's West End. This decision was reached after the completion of the third and final August Underground film, August Underground's Penance. Where the first two August Underground films had been made in a faux-snuff style, Redsin had a more traditional narrative style.Īfter the film's release, Toetag closed its studio in Bellevue to relocate to Los Angeles, California. TTP released their third film, The Redsin Tower on DVD and sold out each premier screening. The Redsin Tower, Murder Collection v.1, and the future (2006-) After roughly ten hours, he was released and charges were dropped. While the Toetag merchandise was undergoing "further inspection" in Ottawa, Vogel was held in a Canadian customs jail. The officers confiscated the contents of his van, including Toetag promotional materials as well as copies of Mordum and the original August Underground, and shortly thereafter Vogel was arrested for smuggling obscene materials into Canada. August Underground had its first official release on DVD in 2005.Įn route to the 2005 Rue Morgue Festival of Fear horror convention in Toronto, Fred Vogel was stopped by Canadian customs officers for transporting merchandise across the border. Toetag also opened their first studio in Bellevue, Pennsylvania around the same time. Now an officially incorporated film studio, Toetag Pictures provided special make-up effects and acting in Nick Palumbo's film, Murder-Set-Pieces. After Mordum's release, Vogel and Cruise incorporated Toetag Pictures on April 1, 2004. Killjoy left the crew as well in 2003 to focus on his metal band Necrophagia, for which Vogel directed the music video for the band's song "Rue Morgue Disciple" and the band's documentary Sickcess (aka Necrophagia: Sickcess).
Despite, or possibly due to, the controversy over the film, it was met with considerable critical acclaim and press coverage, being featured in several international magazines and publications. The film was banned in several countries due to its extremely graphic nature. Over time, Mordum gained considerable controversy and was listed as the Sickest Film Ever Made by blogger Horror Brain on IGN.com. He released his own cut of the film, subtitled "The Maggot Cut", and the official cut of the film was released on DVD in 2003. Schneider left the crew shortly after the wrap of production on Mordum. Vogel, Jerami Cruise, Michael Schneider, Christie Whiles, Shelby Jackson, and Killjoy then began production of the film's sequel, August Underground's Mordum. Vogel self-released 200 copies of the film on VHS tape in 2002. In 2001, Fred Vogel directed August Underground with defunct production company Absu Films. 1.3 The Redsin Tower, Murder Collection v.1, and the future (2006-).