From Darkness is a chilling horror from director Philip Da Silva which is having its UK Premiere at FrightFest 2024 today. We had a quick chat with him about this cool movie.
NYX: Did you know from a young age that you wanted to work in the film industry?
PDS: Yes, I've always wanted to work in the film industry. Even as a child, I practically set up my own 'cinema business' in my basement for my friends. I would pop popcorn and serve it in those classic paper cups, and I spent all my money on the best sound and picture quality for my home cinema system. Besides screening all my favorite movies, I also showed all my own short films. When it was time for work experience in middle school, I arranged for myself to work at the local cinema. I’ll never forget how cool it was to load those big film reels—it wasn’t digital yet back then. One particularly strong memory is when we, the cinema staff, got to watch the newly arrived 'Aliens Resurrection' all alone at night before its premiere. As you can tell, film was my entire world, and my ultimate dream was, of course, to have my own films shown in cinemas around the globe.
NYX: How did you become in this project?
PDS: The inspiration for From Darkness came from a captivating story I encountered about a dog handler who specialized in night searches for missing persons. What intrigued me most was the psychological aspect—the idea of someone who willingly steps into the unknown, navigating the deep darkness both literally and figuratively. This concept of embracing the night, with all its uncertainties, stirred something in me. I found a natural connection between this real-world bravery and the rich tapestry of Nordic folklore, which often delves into the mysteries that lurk in the shadows. This led me to craft a narrative that intertwines the courage of those who face the dark with the eerie, mystical elements of our folklore. From Darkness is my exploration of how these two worlds—reality and myth—collide and coexist.
NYX: Were you involved with the casting?
PDS: Yes, the casting was led by the fantastic casting director Lotta Forsblad, but as the director, I was, of course, deeply involved in the process. It was crucial for me to find a strong, non-submissive female lead and a male lead who, while appearing tough on the surface, is vulnerable underneath. In many films, these roles are often reversed, so it was important to me to break this outdated pattern. I wanted to challenge the traditional dynamics and bring something fresh and more reflective of the complexities of real people.
NYX: This is your second full feature, were you nervous the first day on set?
PDS: Actually, From Darkness is my first feature film, not my second. Strangely enough, I wasn’t nervous at all on the first day on set. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to step into the role of a feature film director. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked extensively with shorter formats and have also assisted directors on feature films, so my approach was to treat this experience just like any other project. I made a conscious effort not to overthink it or let myself get stressed. I trusted in my preparation and experience, which allowed me to focus fully on bringing the story to life.
NYX: Was it all shot on location and if so, how difficult was it?
PDS: Yes, it was all shot on location, which brought its own set of challenges. Filming in the cold and darkness for several weeks was incredibly demanding, not just physically but also logistically. From the very beginning, I knew we needed to be fully prepared for the harsh conditions. After a freezing test shoot just weeks before the main production, I realized that our success depended on being well-equipped, so I invested in gear designed for polar expeditions. That decision made all the difference—I didn’t freeze a single day after that and was able to focus entirely on the creative aspects of the shoot.
However, the challenges were still significant. We had to ensure that the crew could stay warm and handle basic needs in the extreme cold, which wasn’t always easy. Just keeping the portable toilets warm enough so that no one would "freeze to the seat" was a daily struggle. Additionally, we had to clear snow from the roads every day to access our remote locations, and maintaining team motivation in such a harsh environment required a lot of energy and positivity on my part.
Despite these difficulties, the authenticity of shooting on location added immense value to the film. While some locations were closer to civilization than they appear on screen, we took extra care in post-production to eliminate any traces of light pollution. On the other hand, scenes shot in the cave, 80 meters underground in a real silver mine, and the ruins located truly in the middle of nowhere, provided an atmospheric depth that studio settings simply couldn’t replicate.
NYX: Did the cast have to do any special training to cope with the elements?
PDS: The cast didn’t undergo any specific training to cope with the cold, although it was certainly a challenging environment to work in. They were incredibly tough and adapted quickly to the harsh conditions. However, they did have some stunt training, particularly for the fight scene at the end of the film. This training was essential to ensure that the scene was both safe and convincing, allowing the actors to fully immerse themselves in their roles and deliver a powerful performance.
NYX: It’s a very emotional movie, how did you make sure that the storyline of loss and grief wasn’t lost in the horror?
PDS: Ensuring that the storyline of loss and grief wasn't overshadowed by the horror elements was a key focus for me throughout the making of From Darkness. While I initially wasn’t a huge fan of the horror genre, this distance allowed me to approach the film from a fresh perspective. I saw an opportunity to use horror not just to scare, but to tell a deeply emotional and compelling story.
From the start, my goal was to create a horror thriller for adults—something that wasn’t just about scares, but also about exploring profound themes like guilt and loss. Each character in the film has lost something significant, something they desperately want to reclaim, and the forest became a perfect metaphor for this. It's a place where one can easily get lost, both physically and emotionally.
Balancing the fear with these deeper, more emotional themes was crucial. I wanted the audience to not only feel the tension and unease typical of horror but also to connect with the characters on a more personal level. The horror elements serve to heighten the stakes and the emotional journey, rather than overshadowing it. My hope is that viewers get immersed in both the unsettling atmosphere and the poignant story, finding themselves just as lost as the characters, grappling with their own feelings of grief and longing.
NYX: Is the “Cave Wraith” legend true or was it created for the movie?
PDS: The 'Cave Wraith' legend, as depicted in the movie, is a blend of truth and creative interpretation. While the specific legend of the Cave Wraith was created for the film, it is deeply rooted in Swedish folklore and the ways such myths might have been practically used in the past. For example, legends like this could have been employed to keep silver miners in line, explaining why some died in the dangerous work environment and suggesting that misbehavior could anger Mother Nature. It’s possible that mine owners used these stories to maintain order or that the people themselves crafted these myths to make sense of tragic accidents.
In creating the wraith and its eerie presence, we drew inspiration from these historical roots but also added our own layers to enhance the story’s horror elements. For instance, the wraith's wail was developed using sounds from an almost extinct Swedish dialect, which we then digitally altered to create something truly haunting. So while the Cave Wraith as you see it in the movie is a fictional creation, it’s very much influenced by the real-world folklore and history of Sweden.
NYX: Will you be nervous when the movie has its UK premiere at FrightFest 2024?
PDS: Yes, I will definitely be nervous when the movie has its UK premiere at FrightFest 2024. I always feel that way when an audience is about to see something I’ve created. As a creator, it’s incredibly exposing, and sometimes the nerves can even manifest physically—I’ve felt quite unwell at premieres before. But it’s also a wonderful feeling in a way; it’s a clear sign that I genuinely care about what I’m doing.
What I’m most excited about, though, is seeing how the audience reacts. I can’t wait to see if they connect with the emotional depth of the story and if they end up jumping out of their seats during the more intense moments. It’s going to be super fun to experience their reactions firsthand. Additionally, I’m really curious to hear how they interpret the story—whether they lean more towards the film’s realistic perspective or the more mythological and supernatural elements.
NYX: Do you believe in the paranormal?
PDS: I suppose I’m a bit boring in that regard—I’m not particularly inclined to believe in the paranormal. However, I do think there are things we label as paranormal simply because we don’t yet fully understand our universe. In that sense, there might be perfectly logical explanations for phenomena we currently can’t explain. It’s like if someone from the Stone Age were presented with a mobile phone; they would see it as magic, but it’s not magic at all. It’s just that our understanding hasn’t caught up yet.
NYX: What is the film industry like in Sweden?
PDS: The film industry in Sweden is quite small, haha. But there’s a lot of fresh talent eager to explore and create more genre films, which I find really exciting. Swedish cinema has a bit of an Ingmar Bergman complex, where there's often a focus on more serious and pretentious themes. While we’re, of course, proud of our film history, there’s definitely room to diversify and create films that are less heavy and more accessible. It’s refreshing to see a shift towards that direction, and I think it’s a healthy evolution for Swedish cinema.
NYX: So, what are you up to at the moment?
PDS: Right now, I’m here at FrightFest to watch a ton of films from other talented filmmakers, and I’m incredibly excited about it and looking forward to meeting them. As for my own work, I’ve got three really exciting genre projects in the pipeline. I believe it’s important to develop multiple ideas in parallel, especially with how fast everything moves in the industry these days. You never know when a film might come out that’s too similar to your own idea, and it’s a shame if you’ve put all your eggs in one basket. The details of these projects are, of course, top secret for now, but if you find me at the festival and buy me a beer, I might just be tempted to spill a few secrets, haha.
NYX: Philip Da Silva, thank you very much.
