Sunday, November 10, 2024

Blu-ray Review: THE PROFANE EXHIBIT (2013)


Distributed by:  Unearthed Films/MVD


  If you are a fan of Unearthed Films, you have probably been following the release of THE PROFANE EXHIBIT for years!  This has been a highly anticipated release, but was delayed for years for reasons I am not sure of.   Well, the wait is over as Unearthed Films has finally released the DVD and  Blu-ray of THE PROFANE EXHIBIT!    

  This is an anthology style film with small short films pieced together, with each section being directed by a different director.   This project brought together 10 top directors of underground horror, giving us a very unique film made by some filmmakers with varying styles.  

Here is the very simple plot from the MVD website:

 Ten renowned horror movie directors from all over the world have recreated their most gruesome dreams and frenzied nightmares

THE PROFANE EXHIBIT contains the following segments:

MOTHER MAY I  - Directed by Anthony DiBlasi
HELL CHEF - Directed by Yoshihiro Nishimura
BASEMENT - Directed by Uwe Boll
THE BRIDGE - Directed by Ruggero Deodato 
TOPHET QUOROM - Directed by Sergio Stivaletti
GOODWIFE - Directed by Ryan Nicholson 
MORS IN TABULA - Directed by Marian Dora
SINS OF THE FATHER - Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
MANNA - Directed by Todd Schneider 
AMUSE BOUCHE - Directed by Jeremy Kasten 

 I had been looking forward to this release for years.  It was mentioned regularly in the horror community, and at some point I think we all gave up on seeing it.  Thankfully, Unearthed Films didn't give up and have finally released this for our viewing pleasure!   Like most anthologies, not all of the segments were a hit for me, but I liked most of them for sure.   This release is unique in it showcases the works of two directors that are no longer with us.  Ryan Nicholson passed away back in 2019 and Ruggero Deodato passed away in 2022, with his contribution to this anthology being his last film project.  

  Of all the segments of this anthology, my favorite was Ryan Nicholson's GOODWIFE.  It tells the tale of what seems to be a normal husband, but he has a secret in the form of a naked woman he's holding captive in his basement.   Apparently this normal looking middle class man is a serial killer, and when his wife finds all his "souvenirs" from his past kills,  her reaction is not anything like what you'd expect!   This segment was among the goriest, which is to be expected if you have followed Nicholson's career. 

  One of the other goriest segments was Todd Schneider's MANNA.   This film has no dialog and is just a series of very gory images and scenes, including some cannibalism themes.   The effects in this segment are very well done and very realistic looking.   

  Another of my favorite segments was Yoshihiro Nishimura's HELL CHEF.   I have seen some Japanese films before where the gore/blood is represented by red balls, or streamers or something similar.  This film had that element in it which I have always found unique and interesting. 

  The film segments I mentioned alone are worth getting this film, but there were many other segments that were very good, and only a couple that I didn't care for at all.    Overall this is a great addition to the Unearthed Films library and one you should add to your collection as well! 

THE PROFANE EXHIBIT is available now from Unearthed Films and MVD, and contains the following Special Features:

  • Audio Commentary by Director Michael Todd Schneider, Producer Amanda Manuel and Ultra Violent Magazine's Art Ettinger
  • World Premiere Interview
  • World Premiere Q&A
  • 'Ten Years Later' by Marian Dora
  • Sergio Stivaletti's Tophet Quorum
  • Awakened Manna
  • Tiffany Blem Interviews Michael Todd Schneider
  • Tiffany Blem Interviews Uwe Boll
  • Tiffany Blem Interviews Amanda Manuel
  • Tiffany Blem Interviews Jeremy Kasten
  • Galleries
  • Trailer


CLICK HERE to watch the  trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray