Documentary “Shadowland” – which has its world premiere at Los Angeles’ Beyond Fest on Oct. 5 – was supposed to be a “happy story” set in the French Pyrenees, a place known for its mysteries. Embracing magic and witchcraft, spiritual “seekers” from all paths of life settle there, hoping to find the greatest treasure – the Holy Grail – or experience supernatural encounters.
One of those was cult director Richard Stanley , who claimed he saw local deity the White Lady, earning the respect of the close-knit community. As well as being a long-time resident of the area, Stanley also worked as a tour guide there. Stanley made his name with horror films like “Hardware” and “Dust Devil,” but after he was fired from “The Island of Dr.
Moreau,” starring Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer, he took a 20-plus year break from feature filmmaking before returning with 2019’s “Color Out of Space,” starring Nicolas Cage. Watch an exclusive clip from “Shadowland” below. Kalle Kinnunen, co-writer and producer of “Shadowland,” says: “The film we set out to make in early 2021 was about ‘the Zone,’ as [Stanley] calls the region, and people [seeking healing] in that world of magic and make-believe.
” During the crew’s first shooting trip, allegations were posted in a blog written by Scarlett Amaris, Stanley’s former partner, accusing him of domestic violence, assault and battery, allegations which he strongly refutes, citing a court case in France.