A throwback to Italian giallo films of the 1970s, Saturnalia features several nods to the works of Dario Argento — including a score composed by frequent collaborator Claudio Simonetti of Goblin (Suspiria, Dawn of the Dead).
The indie horror film will be released on Digital April 24 via Terror Films. Watch the stylish trailer below.
Set in 1979, the story centers on Miriam Basconi, a young woman shipped off to the prestigious Alstroemerias Academy after the mysterious death of both her parents. From her first day, Miriam senses the academy is not what it seems – students disappear in the night, strange men lurk in the shadows.
Amongst its marbled halls lurks the iron grip of Headmistress Hemlock, whose cruelty is whispered about in every corridor. Determined to uncover the truth of what’s happening behind closed doors, Miriam stumbles upon something far stranger.
A hidden world pulsing within the school itself, a surreal realm where the line between nightmare and reality blurs. To survive Alstroemerias, Miriam must confront not only its sinister authority, but the living, breathing mystery at its core.
Sophia Anthony stars with Velvet, Dante Blake, Amariah Dionne, Maddie Siepe, and Morgan Messina.
Daniel Lerch makes his feature directorial debut from a script he co-wrote with Julia Nilsen and Darrell Szarka Workman. Max Fischer and Vivian Owen produce.
“Saturnalia is my love letter to 1970s Italian exploitation cinema,” comments Lerch. “Making this film allowed us to pay homage to the Italian gialli and supernatural horror films of my youth.”
He continues, “It was an exciting challenge to attempt to innovate in such a creative genre, particularly as a period piece. Moviegoers were more patient back then, and filmmakers of the time were not afraid to challenge their audience. We approached our story with the same attitude and sensibility.”
