There are several movies that can boast being in the top 10 movies of grossest movies ever made, however, in recent years few movies can slide themselves into the top 10, kicking out many early horror/art films that hold that title. That is, until the release of The Human Centipede. This movie maintains itself in various top 10 lists of “Grossest Horror Movie”. Then the franchise opened up, and disturbed us again with The Human Centipede II. Our stomach contents leaped towards our mouths even in conceptualizing the now well-known basis for these movies: the attaching of a series of people ass to mouth, and hoping for the best. Pushing that idea into a second film, and an even third film is astonishing, and we can only watch in awe, amazement, and morbid curiosity. After all, we can’t just look away when 15 people are attached ass-to-mouth can we?
Continuing with the Halloween Week Festivities, we bring you an intriguing interview with the antagonist of The Human Centipede II, Martin Lomax, played by affable and totally non-psycho (self-professed), Laurence R. Harvey.
Sarah: What attracted you the most to your role in Human Centipede II? 
Laurence: That it wasn’t a straight sequel. The detailed outline that Tom gave me when we first met suggested something that was more influenced by Japanese splatter. Also, the way in which the first film had been about the tropes of the horror genre, the new film was rather about the scenarios brought about in the media perception of the horror genre.
Also it was the lead role, which, as a character actor, you’re very rarely offered. Also I thought Tom was fun, articulate, and admired his range of influences in the first film, and what he was suggesting were the influences in sequel.
Sarah: How does one go about preparing for such a grotesque role?
Laurence: The same way you would any other role! (laughs)
Sarah: Are you satisfied with the way the movie turned out, or was there more stuff that never made it to the final cut that would make us cringe even more?
Laurence: YES! I’m so pleased at how the film turned out. When we finished filming, I thought we’d made a splatter-comedy. Then to see it edited, and color drained from the image and with the horrible foley sounds and industrial soundscape, it became something far darker than the first film, and had a more ‘experimental’ feel about it. I do think it is a remarkable piece of film-making. It was the first film I watched since Once Were Warriors that had a physical effect on me as a member of the audience.
No, there’s no extra bits. Although there are various different cuts out there the uncut version on DVD & BluRay in the U.S., and on download in the UK & Australia is the film in its entirety.
Sarah: Being that Human Centipede provokes a very visceral reaction from people, what is your reaction to how people perceive you as an actor after playing such a character?
Laurence: It’s interesting. At conventions, when people walk past, either they see you from across the room and make a bee-line for you, or they glance at you and a look of horror comes across their face and then they turn away sharply. Usually after a while people know that I’m a friendly, intelligent chap that’s very approachable.
People are now also getting to know me through Facebook and Twitter. Some people know that I did performance art and theatre in the UK, as well as UK children’s T.V. in the 90s. So, they know I’m not just a psycho – well hopefully they know. (laughs)
Sarah: Where can we expect to see you next?
Laurence: The Human Centipede III: Final Sequence is out next spring. I’ve also recently shot a short film with Tristan Risk, directed by Jill Sixx Gevargizian called Call Girl, and that will be doing the film festival and convention circuit in the New Year. Plus another three projects that were to shoot this fall, but have now been moved into the New Year as well, but I’ll speak about them nearer the time.
~Sarah Church, Horror Fan and Contributor at RockRevolt
