An interview with SHADOW director FEDERICO ZAMPAGLIONE

Following a fantastic reaction to Federico Zampaglione's Shadow at this year's Film 4 Frightfest in London, I was able to put some questions to the Italian rock star ahead of another two screenings at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival. Shadow is a creepy and truly horrific woodland tale that harks back to the classic Italian horror of the 70s and 80s, whilst infusing the narrative with a gruesome and painfully topical twist.

"SHADOW tells the story of David (Jake Muxworthy), a young soldier returning from a tour of duty in Iraq, who decides to go on a mountain biking adventure in Europe to forget his battle-weary past. In the woods he meets pretty young stranger Angeline (Karina Testa) and they team up to explore the picturesque surrounding area. Soon they learn of a mystifying local myth... a legend that will force David to face more shattering fears than he did during wartime. He will meet the bloodthirsty butcher Mortis (Nuot Arquint) and discover that reality is sicker than any nightmare."

Zampaglione is a terrifically enthuisastic guy, and a bonafide horror fan...

JD: At Frightfest it (Shadow) came through clearly as a labour of love for you. How long has it been in your head? How did it come about?

FZ: Well, I've been a huge fan of the genre since I was a child. I grew up with Dario Argento's films and my secret dream was directing a horror film myself. Now, somehow, this dream is coming true, so I'm very excited, but at the same time I really don't know what is going to happen next.

JD: As a musician did you come across any problems with people taking you seriously as a film maker?

FZ: Absolutely yes! When people know you in a certain role, they don't want you to change into something different. In a way I can even see this point of view. Probably some of my music fans will be deeply shocked because of this unexpected move. Tiromancino's style is bluesy, cool. Also my previous movie NERO BIFAMILIARE was a black comedy, so very far away from the creepy feel of SHADOW.

JD: it seemed to me very much a return to an allegorical horror of ideas rather than the superficial gore-fests that dominate so much of the genre - the subtext is as important as the scares. Was it partly a reaction to horror films you've seen recently?

FZ: It is exactly what I tried to do. I didn't want to show all that violence and sadism merely for the gore. There are enough films doing that... Anyway the message at the very end is very controversial and heavily debated. I'm aware that people will either love it or absolutely hate it.

JD: Nuot Arquint is a revelation as the creepy Mortis - was he always lined up for the role?

FZ: Yes, when I found him surfing on the internet. I thought he was incredibly scary and real unnerving, absolutely perfect for the role. Then I met him in person and was immediately captivated by him. He has such a great and weird personality. In every horror movie, finding the right monster is a great starting point, especially if he scares you without any make-up.

JD: Shadow references a huge array of horror films from The Seventh Seal to recent torture porn, but particularly Italian horror. Was it a conscious effort to keep this tradition going?

FZ: During the shooting of Shadow, I was inspired by so many different horror titles seen over the years: "Deliverance", "Wolf Creek" "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and many others, but especially by the Italian masters such as Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, Ruggero Deodato, Mario and Lambero Bava. Unfortunately in the last years our genre tradition has declined. The industry is focused just on films they can sell to the TV. Nobody want to invest money for local horror titles. That's really sad and silly at the same time. Fortunately there are now a lot of Italian horror fans waiting for a new wave of Italian Terror, and I trust things are about to change.

JD: The score is very effective and reminiscent of how Dario Argento used Goblin in his films. Could you tell us a little more about how you chose it?

FZ: My brother Francesco composed the score. He's an amazing and creative musician...a bit crazy and visionary. For SHADOW, I wanted something powerful and mysteriously disturbing at the same time, with some echoes from the seventies but also modern. We did play just vintage instruments in order to have a more atmospheric sound. Recently, we have crafted a brand new project named "THE ALVARIUS" for composing and performing horror scores. This line up includes: me, my brother Francesco and Andrea Moscianese. We will play some concerts any time soon.

JD: Speaking of which, did you see Dario Argento's new film, Giallo (also at Frightfest) and if so what did you think of it?

FZ: I haven't seen Giallo yet. The day of its screening at Frightfest I had to get back in Italy for a concert. I'm really curious to watch it and will let you know!

JD: Will we see a shift away from the music that you're famous for now Shadow's been met with such positive reactions?

FZ: Music is my life, but now I can't get away from directing too. I'm trying to find a new balance midst this exciting confusion.

JD: The mountain bike/hunter chase at the start is great - are you a mountain biker?!

FZ: Unfortunately not , but I'm going to learn soon. I would love to ride like a real biker. Actually, I'm a boxer.

JD: Are you working on any other film projects we should know about, horror or otherwise?

FZ: My future is definitely in the horror genre. I'm considering a couple of interesting shockers. One is placed in the dark and brutal Middle Ages; the other one is a gritty and violent psycho thriller. Watch this space.
 

Shadow will play Sitges 09 on the 1st and 2nd October at midnight - you can read the Frightfest review here.