As a seasoned documentarian and film critic with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have seen my fair share of productions that veer off course, but none quite like “Shadowland.” This film started as a fun-filled trip to the south of France, but morphed into an arduous eight-year journey filled with loss, searching, faith, confusion, secrets, and a whole lot of UFOs.
The documentary titled “Shadowland,” initially intended as a joyful tale, is actually based in the enigmatic French Pyrenees and will have its first screening at Los Angeles’ Beyond Fest on October 5.
People from various spiritual backgrounds gather at this place, drawn by a yearning for the extraordinary. They seek the legendary Holy Grail or aim to encounter the supernatural, hoping to uncover hidden mysteries and treasures.
Among them was filmmaker Richard Stanley, renowned for his cult status, who asserted that he encountered the local spirit known as the White Lady. This belief won him admiration from the closely bonded community. Besides being a long-standing resident of the region, Stanley also served as a guide in this area.
Stanley, famed for his horror movies such as “Hardware” and “Dust Devil,” faced a hiatus in feature filmmaking after being let go from the production of “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” featuring Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer. He stepped away for over two decades before resurfacing in 2019 with “Color Out of Space,” which starred Nicolas Cage.
Watch an exclusive clip from “Shadowland” below.
Kalle Kinnunen, a collaborator on “Shadowland,” explains: “The movie we intended to create back in early 2021 centered around ‘the Zone,’ as Stanley referred to it, and individuals searching for healing in this realm filled with enchantment and illusion.
During their initial filming expedition, claims about domestic violence, assault, and battery against Stanley arose in a blog post written by Scarlett Amaris, who used to be his partner. These assertions, which he vehemently denies, are based on an incident that he insists is addressed in a French court case. A detailed account of these allegations was published by the Daily Beast in January 2023.
Rather than setting aside the project, the Finnish team opted to address him directly. According to Kinnunen, these accusations effectively transformed him into the film’s adversary.
Director Otso Tiainen expressed, ‘Following our long-standing acquaintance, we were eager to conduct another impromptu interview. However, things took an unexpected turn.’ Initially, our intention was to create a documentary about how this location aids in healing fractured spirits and facilitates a person’s resurgence. Regrettably, he was far from the honorable and humble knight who had been graced by the White Lady’s touch.’
Kinnunen mentions that discussing this process is challenging because it’s utterly bizarre. Richard Stanley is skilled at creating his own legends. Over the years, he has reinvented himself at least three times: initially as a heroic underdog who was dismissed from ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ in 1995, then as a young prodigy director whose career in Hollywood ended, transforming into an anti-establishment genius seeking new projects. In truth, he spent time working as a guide in the Montségur region and claimed to have had a mystical encounter at a castle.
At first, Stanley’s critics refused to engage with the pair. As Kinnunen put it, “It was no surprise. We seemed to be producing a documentary within Stanley’s realm.
As we impatiently awaited the legal proceedings to come to a close, an unexpected bond formed with Amaris, his vocal critic. This led us to converse with other former partners. It dawned on us that our journey in the film mirrored that of the seekers. Our initial intent was to appreciate the region, and that sentiment remains unchanged, yet we found ourselves veering towards myth-creation and facilitation for Richard Stanley.
Stanley, a native of South Africa who now resides in his adopted home of France (Carcassonne), shared with EbMaster that in 2022, his legal dispute with internet critics reached trial. Remarkably, the high court in Carcassonne determined that there was no basis for the accusations against him. The malicious allegations leveled against him were deemed to be unsubstantiated and lacking any supporting evidence or credibility.
He mentions, “Two significant productions and a widely-watched TV show were terminated due to their actions, which led to the joblessness of hundreds and the forfeit of millions that could have been earned from potential income.
Stanley’s press statement is published in full here.
At the time of writing, he hadn’t seen the finished film.
Initially envisioned as a leisurely vacation in the southern part of France, their trip transformed into an eight-year odyssey. Kinnunen, a longtime film journalist and critic, and Tiainen, an autonomous filmmaker known for his docuseries “Sami Yaffa – Sound Tracker,” embarked on a journey to delve into themes such as loss, seeking, faith, perplexity, the unavoidable hold of secrets, and the burden associated with power.
Then there were all the legends associated with the place.
According to Tiainen, Montségur is rumored to be the location of the Grail castle, Rennes-les-Chateau is believed to hold the secret to discovering the Ark of the Covenant, and there are tales of an underground UFO base in the region. Additionally, it’s suggested that Mary Magdalene escaped to the Pyrenees following the crucifixion of Jesus.
Kinnunen notes: “During the 13th century, this area served as a significant hub for the Cathar movement, a form of Christianity that defied both the Pope and the French monarchy. This religion has become a popular subject for various groups to interpret according to their own perspectives. Historians, occult enthusiasts, followers of New Age beliefs, and free-spirited individuals often find the Cathars intriguing.
They continuously assemble at that spot, developing friendships and seeking profound truths. Among them are the priestess Anaiya, the sorcerer Uranie, and the self-proclaimed “chaos magician” Iranon.
“I believe it’s a spiritual film, but not in the traditional sense,” says Tiainen.
I’ve always been drawn to individuals who live on society’s outskirts and those who are marginalized. I found these people fascinating, and there seemed to be a recurring theme: they had all endured a significant hardship. Often, their lives diverged from typical societal norms such as wealth, careers, and family. When one loses everything and must begin anew, faith can serve as a guiding light.
Alternatively, Kinnunen suggests that people may find inspiration in movies and popular culture. These individuals often pen their own tales, frequently drawing upon established narratives.
These individuals hold ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Conan the Barbarian,’ ‘Lord of the Rings,’ Arthurian legends, and local mysteries close to their hearts. Living here can feel like a blend between ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ and a Dario Argento movie.
In Stanley, the connection to the realm of films and popular culture persists, although it’s taking a shape different from what the “Shadowland” crew initially planned.
As a film enthusiast, I have the privilege to delve into the captivating world of “Shadowland,” co-produced by me alongside Mark Lwoff and Misha Jaari, esteemed figures in the Helsinki film industry, who have recently garnered acclaim for their work on Aki Kaurismäki’s critically-acclaimed production, “Fallen Leaves.
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2024-09-27 14:17