“THE VATICAN TAPES” A Haunting Descent into Darkness
Rewriting the horror genre, “The Vatican
Tapes” began when Lionsgate and Lakeshore Entertainment received the haunting
spec script that took the classic horror concept of demonic possession and elevated
it to an even more chilling level by introducing the anti-Christ.
Mark
Neveldine directs “The Vatican Tapes” from a screenplay by Chris Borelli and
Michael Martin about a woman who has been consumed by the anti-Christ. Neveldine, having gone to Catholic school,
had a personal grasp on the world of The Vatican Tapes, and after discussing
the project with producers, Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi, he jumped aboard
the project. “I’ve always wanted to do a possession film. Something supernatural, but grounded in
reality,” says Neveldine.
Neveldine
collaborated with Lakeshore on the script, focusing on how to balance
fantastical elements and reality. They
found that equilibrium by developing the main female protagonist, Angela, and
her relationship with her father.
“Angela
is the everyday girl that we all know.
While she hasn’t done anything wrong, this possession befell her and as
we follow her chilling journey, we are rooting for her to overcome the devil,”
explains Borrelli.
“We
try to ground the film in reality and add a human element to the story,” says
screenwriter, Michael C. Martin. “We found that human emotion by developing the
relationship between Angela and her father, Roger.”
Along
with incorporating the human emotion to the film, the filmmakers looked for
ways to rewrite the rules of the horror-thriller genre.
“There
are no decapitations, there are no blood sprays, and there aren’t any knives
stabbing eyeball scenes. There are none
of the normal grab-bag of tricks that you use in a horror film. This is more about subtlety. This film demonstrates the slow build and the
slow escalation of dread,” explains Wright.
“This
is a film about demonic possession that can consume anybody. We don’t try to pull any punches,” says
Neveldine. “We’re not trying to look for
any jump scares. Instead, I want to get
under peoples’ skin.”
“The
Vatican Tapes” opens August 19 in cinemas nationwide from Pioneer Films. Check
out the film’s chilling trailer here:
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