Private Project

Blades in the Darkness

Tirana 1997. The chaos left by the fall of communism has opened the doors to a bloody civil war. Matia, just a teenager, is harassed by his playmates. In an attempt to escape, he hides inside an abandoned bunker. In that spooky building, Matia will be the first to discover something scary and unthinkable that will change his whole life .... Tirana 2022. Davide, Giulia, Nua and Adrian are planning their new future; an investment for a new modern venue using a bunker from the former regime. One of the group, secretly is willing to cheat the others in order to pay off a debt to some "old acquaintances", who will not take no for an answer. In the bunker, where the group of youngsters expect their dream come true, they will find drugs, violence and fear. The real horror though hides behind an old wall. A bloodthirsty horror armed with deadly blades.

  • Alex Visani
    Director
    Born Dead
  • Alex Visani
    Writer
  • Lorenzo Lepori
    Writer
  • Alessandro Albertini
    Producer
    Blades in the Darkness
  • Arnold Damazeti
    Producer
  • Manuela Arcuri
    Key Cast
    "Commander's Wife"
  • Francesco Rossini
    Key Cast
    "Communist Commander"
    Effetto Notte by Marco Bellocchio
  • Lorenzo Lepori
    Key Cast
  • Arnold Damazzeti
    Key Cast
    "Ilir"
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 20 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    500,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Albania
  • Language:
    Albanian, Italian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital Arri Alexa
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35 : 1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre horror film festival
    Buenos Aires
    Argentina
    Latin America Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Demonic Brilliance Film Festival
    Fredericton, NB
    Canada
    September 1, 2022
    Best Production Design
  • Dracula Film Festival
    Brasov
    Romania
    October 12, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Days of the Dead Film Festival
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    United States
    November 17, 2022
    Best Movie 2022 & Best Actor
  • Atlanta Horror Film Festival
    Atlanta
    United States
    October 7, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Bloody Festival Roma
    Roma
    Italy
    December 5, 2022
    Best Horror Movie
  • Astrophobia Science Fiction and Horror Film Festival
    Courtenay, BC
    Canada
    October 14, 2022
    Best Horror Feature Movie
  • Scream Queen Film Festival

    United States
    November 30, 2022
    Best Horror Movie
  • African International Horror Film Festival
    Lagos
    Niger
    October 31, 2022
    Africa Premiere
    Official Selection
  • LOS ANGELES HORROR FILM FESTIVAL
    Los Angeles
    United States
    October 20, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Razor Reel Flanders Film Festival (member of the MIFF)
    Bruges
    Belgium
    October 30, 2022
    Official Selection
  • LA Indie Horror Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    October 22, 2022
    Honorable Mention
  • Horror Bowl Movie Awards
    Chandigarh, Punjab 160017
    India
    November 21, 2022
    India Premiere
    Best Thriller Feature
  • Level Up Film Fest

    October 12, 2022
    Best Horror Feature Film
  • Level Up Film Fest

    October 12, 2022
    Best Independent Film
  • Level Up Film Fest

    October 12, 2022
    Best Director
  • 13HORROR.COM FILM & SCREENPLAY CONTEST
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    November 30, 2022
    Honorable Mention
Distribution Information
  • Euroobscura LCC
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights, Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Airline, Ship, Theatrical, Video / Disc, Free TV, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
Director Biography - Alex Visani

Alex Visani is a director and writer, known for Blades in the Darkness (2022), Born Dead (2020), Stomach (2019) and The Pyramid (2013).

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"... I had a lot of fun writing and shooting it ... especially at -10 degrees, inside the bunker!"
OUR STORY
Shot almost entirely inside an authentic bunker built during the communist regime in Albania, BLADES IN THE DARKNESS is a horror movie full of action, twists and turns with a notion that mixes the traditional '80s horror with that of a compelling nowadays tale.
Supported by several rigorously "practical" special effects, the film combines the dark past of the Communist dictatorship in Albania with a story of youth, made of dreams, freedom,
love and betrayal.
A new German / Albanian production with an Italian touch by Alessandro Albertini -
Producer - and Alex Visani - Director - brings forward a new way of making independent cinema. Far from the usual patterns but able to satisfy all fans of horror cinema.
The film features an international cast with Manuela Arcuri, Francesco Rossini, the young
Lorenzo Lepori and Ingrid Monacelli along with award-winning young generation Albanian
actors such as Ilirda Bejleri, Emir Jonka, Arnold Damazzeti, Endrit Ahmetaj, Juli Emiri.
A different, fresh and adequate vision of horror cinema at the disposal of an original and
unpredictable story.
This and much more is BLADES IN THE DARKNESS!