Salt, Saliva, Sperm and Sweat

Philip Brophy's directorial debut hasn't received anywhere near as much attention as it deserves. It's one of the most original, subversive and darkly funny short films you'll ever see! Brophy went on to direct the unfairly maligned splatter comedy 'Body Melt'. Watching 'Salt, Saliva, Sperm and Sweat' makes you re-think that misunderstood minor classic. Brophy comes from a background in experimental and electronic music, and this movie has much more in common with Burroughs/Ballard inspired musicians like Throbbing Gristle and DEVO, than any mainstream movie makers.

The movie follows the mundane life of an office worker both in and out of his dull job, and essentially focuses on the acquiring and losing of bodily fluids. If that sounds bizarre, you're right! This movie is utterly unique and like nothing you've seen before. I urge anyone who loves original fantastic cinema to track it down. Then after that watch 'Body Melt' with fresh eyes. Philip Brophy is one of the most daring directors to come out of Australia, and hopefully one day he will be recognized for his twisted uniqueness!

This was shown on BBC2, a GB TV Channel, in the late 80's. My video tape of it frequently got put on as the silent backdrop to numerous parties, which is a shame as I am sure that many that saw this odd little film would have appreciated it more had they been able to hear the soundtrack, which sounded like it was either by Jim Foetus or Genesis P. Orridge. It's now well over ten years since I last saw it, but I recall one part where the protagonist has a whisky and milk which is subsequently regurgitated over a glass top coffee table and filmed from beneath. The film was basically a day in the life of an Australian wage slave expressed in terms of his secretions of bodily fluids. This really should be available on DVD and I'm surprised that this is only the second comment submitted here for this interesting little picture.