6/6

by Ray Cluley

The series of short films known collectively as ‘6/6’ caused quite a stir when they were first uploaded to YouTube, and more of a stir when they were subsequently removed. In order to preserve these disturbing cinematic artefacts for posterity, acclaimed author Ray Cluley here presents a critical overview of both the films themselves and the circumstances surrounding them.
This collectors edition chapbook is strictly limited to 66 numbered copies, signed by the author, and presented in special edition packaging.

Genres: Horror

30 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2019

About the author

Ray Cluley is a British Fantasy Award winner with stories published in various magazines and anthologies. Some of these have been republished in ‘best of’ volumes, including Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year series and Nightmares: A New Decade of Modern Horror, as well as Steve Berman’s Wilde Stories: The Year’s Best Gay Speculative Fiction, and Benoît Domis’s Ténèbres. He has been translated into French, Polish, and Hungarian, and Chinese.

Reviews

[Karl]

This unique chapbook comes housed in a DVD case along with a DVD numbered 42 of 66 and signed by Ray Cluley disc along with the chapbook.

A note is included stating - "For legal and safety reasons, we have not been able to reproduce the 6/6 recordings here. The disc included is for display purposes only; it is secured into the case and should not be removed."

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a curio. Packaged in a DVD case - together with a DVD which is not to be played - "6/6" is a booklet that accompanies a film of the same name previously only seen on YouTube and other online platforms before it mysteriously disappeared. The booklet flatly tells the story of the film together with footnotes that expand on some of the burgeoning folklore around it. There is no suggestion that viewing the film leads to harm, however there is resonance with "Ringu" in the description of the movie and it's six disjointed sections, and the question over whether the events depicted are real or a hoax echoes "The Blair Witch Project". Ultimately, on first reading, I found reading both the 'story' and the footnotes kept pulling me out of the ambiance (but then I always feel this way with footnotes), and because of that I think it lost some impact (although having said that the footnotes are absolutely necessary for this to work). So, three stars on this reading, but I definitely will return to it again and I'm sure there are nuances I would pick up on a second reading that should add greater depth. As yet I haven't watched the film.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So brilliant. One of the best horror short stories ever written, in a fabulous format (book insert for a CD). Well done Black Shuck Books and very well done Ray Cluley!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of six short films, known collectively as “6/6”, cause a stir on YouTube and are then withdrawn. This short story details what the films show and offers copious footnotes to expand on the imagery, with input from critics, bloggers and YouTubers.
I have a great deal of affection for stories relating to lost films (in whatever fashion) and enjoyed the slow creeping build-up of this, where we get to experience the tedium of a ‘found footage’ film, while not having to waste minutes of our lives doing so. The story is well paced, though exceptionally short and Cluley makes the most of his medium, building tension - did we see that person, did we hear that noise? - while expanding on the mythology within the footnotes. Enjoyable enough (though it could have amped up the fright) and beautifully produced by Black Shuck Books (it comes in a DVD case with a “not to be watched” disc), this is well worth a read.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting concept. A curious thing. and then. Footnotes. Essential in their largeness. Footnotes. You'll want to seek out the found footage, FOOT / AGE / NOTES. A curious thing.