For fans of genre movies (that's horror, sci-fi and fantasy for the uninitiated), the last week in July is a lot like Christmas. San Diego Comic-Con International is a four-day event that gives fans a sneak-peak of the effects-heavy delights heading their way over the coming months. As well as star-studded panel discussions and exclusive screenings of forthcoming features, it's a chance for like-minded weirdos to dress up as their favourite characters and come together in a non-judgmental (and, in all-likelihood, non-bathing) environment. As a result, you'll often see some truly spectacular costumes, from the bevy of women who turn out in Princess Leia's Jedi-era metal bikini, to would-be Wolverines with tinfoil blades jutting from their wank-weary knuckles.
Funnily enough, the best costume this weekend didn't actually make an appearance at Comic-Con. Instead, it popped up at another genre film convention - Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors. In amongst the homemade Freddy, Jason and Pinhead costumes, one outfit really stood out, not least because it involved more cooperation than a pantomime horse. Although with considerably less fabric.
The three lucky winners who'll be sharing the $1,000 prize (and hopefully a bottle of mouthwash) were inspired by the latest horror phenomenon, one that's been turning stomachs and flipping wigs since it was first announced over a year ago. The Human Centipede is a fantastically controversial Dutch opus that tells the story of a German doctor who kidnaps three tourists and joins them surgically, mouth to anus - hence the film's curious title. Hardly surprising, then, that the film has been described as 'the most disgusting horror film of all-time'.
But credit where credit's due - it takes a certain level of dedication to turn up to a film convention with your head buried in the backside of a close friend, with only a few bandages to protect your modesty. Especially since the movie you're honoring has hardly been seen outside a few niche film festivals and a handful of video-on-demand services. Still, the one up-side is that there was never any danger of turning up and seeing someone else in the exact same outfit. Because that's the kind of nightmare no-one needs.
If you have the stomach for it, here's the trailer...
