Contemporary style. Classic feel.
A lot has been published about the decline of the Italian horror scene since the late eighties and sure it certainly was moribund during the nineties but slowly and surely thanks to a combination of sporadic releases (but more notably re-releases) from the old guard interest once again seems to be returning to Italian shores and although it is often the past that draws the cinema fans in it is the present that now has its best opportunity.
This rejuvenation of interest appears to be coming at the right time as over the last 16 or so years, newer Italian horror directors have started to break through into international consciousness no doubt aided by the benefits afforded by the internet in regards to cross-cultural collaboration and marketing making it easier than ever for film fans to discover foreign releases.
While some of these directors have been quietly honing their craft over several releases, others appear to be gaining seemingly immediate critical exposure at popular international film festivals such as Frightfest (although no one is ever an overnight success in this game) but however they got there all are now starting to break out helping their national scene to grow not just in production numbers but once again in stature.
Unfortunately though while some directors have gone on to secure distribution deals across English speaking countries many are still all but unheard of outside of, and some inside, of Italy. So to try and re-address the balance Cosi Perversa presents our favourite and/or the best upcoming Italian horror and cult genre directors for you to keep an eye on and to discover a brave new world of Italian violence.
Lorenzo Bianchini
Living and working in Udine, to the far north-east of Italy must be a challenge, especially where the majority of networking occurs in Rome however Bianchini marches to his own beat and nowhere is that more evident in his decision to shoot primarily in his regional dialect.
Starting out in the late nineties, a time where even the big names with proven track records struggled to get funding no doubt hindered his career but somehow Bianchini managed to thrive. Improving release by release until his debut feature length CUSTODES BESTIAE combined the occult with the Italian mystery.
Despite this it would take the director a further six years to get out his sophomore effort, OCCHI and a further three years after for his most commercially available effort ACROSS THE RIVER which like his other films met with generally positive reviews by the patient and less so from those wanting a quick, easy watch.
I'll be honest until CATACOMBA came out in 2016 I had never heard of the director Lorenzo Lepori but he had been creating movies since 2006 and seemingly this lack of a spotlight gave him the freedom to experiment with different styles and techniques allowing him to not only evolve his own unique style but also be competent enough to mix it up for the benefit of the viewer when required. No doubt these experiences culminated in his horror anthology (alongside Roberto Albanesi) CATACOMBA which also starred Antonio Tentori, Pascal Persiano and Giovanni Pianigiani amongst others.
We recommend: Clearly it has to be his 2016 anthology effort directed alongside Roberto Albanesi. CATACOMBA is both funny, violent and most importantly fun. If you are a fan of the old Amicus, Hammer or Tales from the Crypt then this Italian take is most certainly up your street.
Roberto and Maurizo del Piccolo
I'll be honest I know even less about these brothers who almost seemed to have made contemporary UK/Italian films their own with their first couple of efforts (THE HOUNDS; EVIL SOULS) but even though they flew under my radar until 2016 they most certainly have been flagged up now.
We recommend: The brothers have made three films together but it is the third effort - MY LITTLE SISTER - that really marks them out from the crowd. A stripped down tense ride that benefits from tight editing, a compact structure and terrific use of audio. One minor gripe is that it, like so many others, perhaps panders a little too much to the American market rather than celebrating its own cultural history but ultimately entertains with enough style to easily make this list.
Writer/Director Luigi Pastore is a firmly established figure in the Italian scene having worked alongside a veritable who's who of the old guard in one capacity or another as well as many of his peers such as Albanesi and Massa.
Previously he has been the organiser of the Italian Horror Fest and currently he is presenting the TV series PREPARARSI ALLA MORTE.
In fact as of January 2017, Pastore's take on VIOLENT SHIT is the most viewed review on the site. Certainly popular across the globe.
We recommend: With only two feature films under his belt I would suggest people check out his debut, the neo-giallo SYMPHONY IN BLOOD RED as great alternative take on the genre. Leave VIOLENT SHIT until you want to go genre celebrity spotting.
Federico Zampaglione
Roman director Federico Zampaglione actually has a second job as the lead singer in the Italian pop electronica band Tiromancino who have released 13 albums since their inception in 1989 and debut in 1992. With songs such as 'L'ultimo treno della notte' you can tell horror is never far from his heart....even if it does sound like a love song.
Back on track and Zampaglione first entered the world of cinema in 2007 when he wrote and directed A DREAM HOUSE, starring his wife Claudia Gerini. Thankfully however this is no Rob Zombie/Sherrie Moon situation and both are more than competent in their work as evidenced by their diverse body of work.
We recommend: This is a tricky one as many would naturally gravitate to the more giallo-esque TULPA but I would suggest giving SHADOW a spin despite its seemingly apparent leanings towards the torture porn genre which mask a much better film underneath. Although chasing more of a mass appeal some key sequences elevate this film above it's peers.
Gabriele Albanesi
Another Roman, it really is the place to be (or be from), Albanesi is another who has toiled away and can entertain even if admitedlly he can't wow. Although his efforts THE LAST HOUSE IN THE WOODS and UBALDO TERZANI HORROR SHOW are worth checking out if you get the chance.
We recommend: If you can get a cheap copy or find it online check out UBALDO TERZANI HORROR SHOW which although not fantastic has a certain charm and will entertain you. Paolo Sassanelli meanwhile as the charming Ubaldo turns in a terrific performance. Plus you might spot another one of this list in a little cameo.
Eros D'Antona
I know very little about the films of Eros D'Antona except for INSANE but that film is enough for me to include him on here. Hey, its my list and my rules. Eros actually was the screenwriter and co-executive producer of JOHNNY in 2013 which went on to become one of the most awarded Italian web series worldwide the following year and in his career directed five short films before his feature break with the aforementioned INSANE..
We recommend - Obviously I am going to tell you to check out the crazy action comedy INSANE for some Tarantino meets grindhouse black comedy fun. The films synopsis is that a weirdo and sadomasochist guy named Condom is sent to a little village in southern Italy to kill a professional killer. I don't think I need to sell it any more than that.
Also keep an eye out for the highly talented Alberto Viavattene who has directed six short films, including riffing on Poe's Murder in the Rue Morgue with the brutal ape attack short MORGUE STREET. Previously he has worked on Argento's much maligned GIALLO but thankfully things have picked up and as well as working on the sublime YOUTH, Paolo Sorrentino saw fit to hire him to work on THE YOUNG POPE. If the maestro behind THE GREAT BEAUTY re-hires you then you must certainly have talent.
Also with a strong CV is Davide Melini (THE PUZZLE, THE SWEET HAND OF THE WHITE ROSE) who has worked as a second unit director on bigger budget fare such as ROME; MOTHER OF TEARS and PENNY DREADFUL. Currently Davide is in pre-production of horror film LION starring genre regular Michael Segal and at last after several false starts his giallo DEEP SHOCK.
Finally I would like to also throw out a mention for Giulio Ciancamerla who brought us the gender challenging UNDERCOVER MISTRESS last year. An accomplished effort that challenged preconceptions of gender in a brutal and almost arthouse style. It is no surprise that his debut onto the scene was so received when we consider he was the assistant/second unit director on HIPPOCAMPUS M 21TH and VIOLENT SHIT.
Wait, no Eros Puglielli?
Another bloody Roman director (ahahah sto scherzando!) but I have omitted Eros because despite directing the fantastic EYES OF CRYSTAL which is up there with Argento's SLEEPLESS in my opinion he has succumbed to the realm of television money and so is excluded as he is hardly one to look out for anymore.
Now a word of warning. I am under no illusion here that many of these directors, no matter how good they are have not yet hit their peak. With Bianchini and Cristopharo the exceptions I can admit that the scene has a long way to go before it can match a wave such as that which swept through the French horror scene in the early-mid 2000s BUT what we do have here is a growing scene. One that is allowing its film makers to grow and experiment away from the commercial constraints and one that given time will start to produce the challenging work of Cristopharo or even Ciancamerla or the batshit crazy attacks of D'Antona and Viavattene on a frequent basis while still maintaining plenty of style that we know the Italians have.
There does however seem to be a bit of a divide in the contemporary Italian scene in regards to an overall identity with some chasing the money and commercial success resulting in a more 'Americanised' approach, no doubt this tactic explains the impact that "torture porn" films like HOSTEL and the SAW sequels had while others try to embrace the national madness and promote a more unique Italian style.
Whichever route, what ever the reason there still beats a heart in the Italian underground, no matter how weak it may appear a handful of directors are bit by bit helping to bring it back. So if you delve further than the latest Argento disappointment (for my money everything since SLEEPLESS and a fair few before), the return of Luigi Cozzi or Ruggero Deodato then you might just discover a decent horror or two.
Oh before I sign off, Cosi Perversa has also had the pleasure of viewing several short films from Italian directors and wanted to give a shout out to Eros Bosi (EVIL SELFIE) and Andrea Cavalera (VERONICA) who both show great potential and we look forward to seeing their future work.
While if zombie films are your thing then the directorial duo of Luca Boni and Marco Ristori might well be up your alley. Already they have racked up several zombie flicks, although I have only seen EATERS which was a decent enough effort with terrific FX but unfortunately ended up too generic to make it onto this list.
Finally, I mean it this time, if anti-(super)hero action with a twist of comedy is your thing make you check out Gabriele Mainetti's THEY CALL ME JEEG ROBOT. An almost touching tale of a petty crook who gains super powers and increased responsibility....but not necessarily in the way you would expect.
Note: I know there are whole bunch of other Italian directors out there, and if anyone has been excluded then I am either not aware of them or simply don't care enough about their films. Contact me on Twitter @cosiperversa for more discussion.
We recommend: Check out the 2004 film CUSTODES BESTIAE aka KEEPERS OF THE BEAST for a terrific, slow burning occult mystery that takes the spirit of the best satanic occult films and infuses it with a typical Italian, dare I say giallo, mystery edge. Shot in the Frullian dialect this film really marks the director out.
Domiziano Cristopharo
The prolific Domiziano Cristopharo is not only a writer/director but also a very talented cinematographer (even if he only does his own work) and producer through his own The Enchanted Architect label.
Cristopharo has carved quite a niche out for himself thanks to his often provocative, gratuitous yet challenging films and it is a shame he is not held in higher regard because he is most certainly one director who does not stand still nor does bow to convention. I'll be honest his work is most likely not for everyone but if you are a fan of Italian film in general you will find a lot in his work.
We recommend: Domiziano has a varied portfolio from the more visceral arthouse leanings of his debut, HOUSE OF FLESH MANNEQUINS, the brutal and bleak RED KROKODIL and even a zombie flick with the upcoming VIRUS: EXTREME CONTAMINATION but his pièce de résistance for me is the enchanting THE TRANSPARENT WOMAN. A mystery that is both modern and retro thanks to it's fantastic use of cinematography, authentic giallo-era soundtrack and intriguing but compelling story.