An Interview With Michael Todd Schneider - The Profane Exhibit (2013): Manna & August Underground's Mordum (2003)

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Disturbing Cinema: What can you tell us about your segment Manna?

Michael Todd Schneider: There are great lengths some may go to obtain a higher level of being. We discovered a cult who will go to great lengths to create and consume their very own food of the gods.

Disturbing Cinema: How was your experience working with Amanda L. Manuel?

Michael Todd Schneider: We had a great time. Instant blood brother and sister bonding. Through the spirit of cinema and dreaming. 

Disturbing Cinema: What makes “Manna” unique from all the other segments? 

Michael Todd Schneider: It began as it’s own thing. Originally it was to be used to raise funding for a feature version of its own. Amanda sought me out to fulfill that vision. But a mere two weeks before filming it was decided to expand upon this and create an international anthology. So it continued to grow into something much larger then it’s initial purpose. A chance to put my own stamp and personality into it. Also, we shot in both Edmonton, Canada and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Allowing the world within Manna to broaden. But also to capture key places relevant to those familiar with my other work. Making it a proper reflection on my behalf representing the American filmmaker of the bunch.

Disturbing Cinema: What does gore mean to you?

Michael Todd Schneider: It’s a tool. A piece of a puzzle. I have a background in special makeup effects so the art or practical and tangible hand made art is very illuminating to me. Well constructed gore as you put it, can be an exciting art gallery all to its own.

Disturbing Cinema: Without giving too much away. What kind of fucked up shit are we expecting to see? 

Michael Todd Schneider: I don’t seek “fucked up shit”. It seeks me. Consumes me. In return I have been known to explore darker avenues. I didn’t write the idea of Manna. The core of it I wouldn’t explore on my own. So in considering the subject material. It elevated its scope to be something far more unique and far more powerful of anything I would set out to make of my own. Often if you have the chance to consider something as an opportunity to grow outside of your own self induced bubble, great things can occur. 

Disturbing Cinema: Besides your own segment. Which is your favourite one from The Profane Exhibit & why? 

Michael Todd Schneider: I think it would be disrespectful to outright claim favorites among my piers. But, the fascinating thing is how eclectic the experience as a whole is. Purely because of the diverse voices involved. While maintaining a consistent through line given Amanda Manuel’s interests and whom she sought to connect with.

Disturbing Cinema: How did your love for extreme cinema begin & when did you discover that you wanted to become an actor & director?

Michael Todd Schneider: My first memory is within the walls of a theatre. From day one I dreamed of being a monster maker. I know of nothing else. The ability to explore all forms of art, creation and performing are given life while constructing a film. I don’t seek out extreme by nature. But surely have utilised extreme measures in pursuing the big dream.

Disturbing Cinema: Why is extreme cinema important to you?

Michael Todd Schneider: If not to push one’s self to extreme measures, test the limits. How is one to know they are alive? The nature of what’s on the lens could be limitless. Whatever is driving the idea. If to speak of extreme cinema that may be my attraction. But I’m not interested in shocking anyone for no reason. I’m only interested in what’s true to the idea. If one is honest, it may pull you through an extreme charade of experiences.

Disturbing Cinema: Could you share with us a crazy on set story?

Michael Todd Schneider: Sitting back to back with my stuntman pal Johnny Sullivan testing different adhesives and tapes. As we prepared to apply the prosthetic testicles. Many tears were spilled from laughing and from accidentally ripping hairs from our nether regions. Unfortunately the footage documented by Mel Helfin mocking us as we fumbled about has not been unearthed.

Disturbing Cinema: You were also one of the directors & actors (Maggot) of the notorious underground nasty August Underground’s Mordum (2003). How does it feel that the film has now been re-released & remastered by Toetag & Unearthed Films, and that there’s a huge fan base from all generations around the world who love it and talk about it still till this day?

Michael Todd Schneider: Like a good Ol’ fashioned hot fudge Sunday, it never goes grows old.

Disturbing Cinema: There have been incomplete versions of The Profane Exhibit screened at festivals in the past, but last year Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival premiered the complete film. How did you feel that day finally watching the finished film in its final form with Amanda and an audience on the big screen? It must of been a surreal experience for you considering how long and complicated the journey of making The Profane Exhibit was?

Michael Todd Schneider: We shed many tears of emotions along with an enormous cackling of laughter. Submitting ourselves to the film Gods within the screening walls. We fucking did it. Against all odds. The Profanity sings and screams. It is a timeless experience that shall live on. Leaving those mocking its existence for so long. It dances to its own drum.

Disturbing Cinema: I would like to conclude our interview by asking you one of my signature questions: What is the most disturbing film you have ever seen? 

Michael Todd Schneider: I have lost the meaning of this term. Rather the films that have stuck with me and blown my mind every time are the works I will forever hold as the holy grails. Not single films, but directors that have opened a doorway into their own worlds. True artists who’s work remains consistent to their vision: David Lynch, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Andrzej Żuławski, Nicolas Roeg, Harmony Korine, Gaspar Noé, David Cronenberg...

Disturbing Cinema: Congratulations on the films, and thank you once again for taking your time answering my questions, Michael Todd Schneider. It was a pleasure interviewing you.





The Profane Exhibit (2013) Plot Summary: Deep within the underbelly of Paris, there is a club which is the home of a secret, wicked society. At first it resembles an ordinary fetish or Goth nightclub, but within the cavernous building are many hidden rooms, one of which is known as "The Room of Souls," a private gathering place of the world's richest and most evil people. Their host is the elegant yet frightening Madame Sabatier. For their amusement each member takes a turn and spins a true tale of depravity: A good wife learns that her husband goes out at night to abduct and murder young women; a botched suicide attempt leads to a drug-induced dream; a girl is believed to be possessed by a demon, and her overly religious parents enlist the help of a corrupt reverend who has his own sinister plans. We are invited inside the deranged mind of a respected surgeon as he takes us on a guided tour of life, death, and everything in between; a young street prostitute crosses paths with a charismatic flesh trader and is forced to take an unspeakable journey of sex, violence, and murder; a nun is abducted off the streets of Rome and held captive for over a year, turning her into a feral, murderous creature to be unleashed on society; a chance encounter on a fateful bus ride for an unsuspecting girl who dreams of riches and fame is her undoing; a man picks up a woman in a nightclub and soon finds himself at the mercy of a cult of women who believe consumption of their sacrifice will bring them to their highest form of female dominance; an unflinching look into darkest Africa where human life is traded for fortune and the most unspeakable atrocities are committed.

You can buy or rent The Profane Exhibit (2013) here:









August Underground's Mordum (2003) Plot Summary: The sequel to the cult classic August Underground is a character study in the sick, an amoral putrid fantasy. The found footage contained in August Underground's MORDUM documents extreme deviant sexuality, torture and murder, while unfolding a classic tale of a man and woman in love. However, the woman cannot give up her other lover, who also happens to be her younger brother. August Underground's MORDUM will vomit all over you and leave you for dead!

You can buy or rent August Underground's Mordum (2003) here:






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