In the long list of words that humans find disgusting, “moist” ranks among the most hated and the most innocuous. Why is this word so objectionable? Is it the mere suggestion of something displeasing? The mouthfeel? Or is it just social conditioning?
According to the Australian film-maker Philip Brophy in the opening crawl of his 1988 experimental short Salt, Saliva, Sperm and Sweat, “These are moist times we live in … and things just keep getting wetter.” Don’t believe him? See for yourself. After whetting appetites back in the 80s, the Melbourne mainstay’s early films are returning to Melbourne international film festival – where they first screened. Almost four decades on, Salt, Saliva, Sperm and Sweat and No Dance have been lovingly restored by the same cinematographer who first shot them – Ray Argall – for the twisted enjoyment of a whole new generation of thrill-seeking moviegoers.
