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Film: The Tunnel
Year: 2011
Director: Carlo Ledesma
Writer: Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey
Starring: Bel Deliá, Andy Rodoreda and Steve Davis
Review:
This was a movie that I didn’t know about until getting into podcasts. It would pop up periodically and I believe this is part of Dave Zee’s Found Footage Challenge. It went on a list of movies to see. I decided to check it out when I needed a movie that took place underground for an October movie challenge. Jaime also thought this one sounded good so we watched it together.
Synopsis: an investigation into a government cover-up leads to a network of abandoned train tunnels deep beneath the heart of Sydney. As a journalist and her crew hunt for the story, it quickly becomes clear the story is hunting them.
We start this off hearing an emergency call. It just cuts off and makes you wonder what happened. This happened in 2007. There was a water crisis in Australia and the government elected to install treatment plants to take water from a reservoir under Sydney. There are abandoned tunnels that have flooded. For unknown reason or reasons, this plan was halted.
The movie then introduces us to the characters we will follow. Steve Miller (Steve Davis) is a cameraman. Their sound guy is Jim ‘Tangles’ Williams (Luke Arnold). These two are best friends with Steve being a bit obnoxious at times. We see him being interviewed over what happened and why there is this faux documentary. There is also Natasha Warner (Bel Deliá) who is a reporter that is on the outs. She needs a story to help get her back in good graces at work. There is also a producer, Peter Ferguson (Andy Rodoreda).
Natasha wants to find out why this plan was abandoned. There is also talks about homeless people living in these tunnels. They also seem to be disappearing. We see the fear in the eyes of one of them, Trevor Jones (James Caitlin), who agrees to be interviewed. It causes him to go into a panic. The minister who brought up this plan, played by Peter McAllum, won’t answer their questions. They also cannot get approved for permits to go into the tunnels to shoot.
That is when Natasha comes up with a plan. She lies to her team that they have the backing of their bosses. They’re going to shoot without the permits. It seems like their job is cut short by a security guard, played by Ben Maclaine. They find another way in. This is the start of their nightmare as they get lost in the tunnels under Sydney. There also could be something down there with them.
I think that will be where I leave my recap and introduction to the characters. Where I’ll start is that I love that this is a faux documentary. Jaime brought up that it makes it feel more real. I would agree with the idea. I didn’t look up to see how much of this is based in fact. I wouldn’t be shocked to learn that there was a drought in Australia. It would make sense with what happened with the wildfires in recent memory as well global warming in general. Australia is much warmer with a good portion of it being deserts. I know in America there are issues with homeless people living in tunnels like this. I don’t see the issue unless they get hurt as that would then fall on the city. Having these things that seem real help to build the mystique for the other aspects for sure.
Where I want to go would be the location. It is terrifying to me to be in these tunnels. I’m not claustrophobic per say, but I would be down here. It is so dark that if you don’t have something to produce light, you aren’t seeing anything. It is disorienting. This location is perfect for a horror movie as it made me uneasy. What also works goes over to sound design. I told Jaime while watching this that if you hear yelling, you could blindly run in the wrong direction since sound carries funny. That adds to the atmosphere as well. What they did here was well done.
Now I’m not going to spoil what they find, because to be honest, I’m not completely sure. That is one gripe I have. I’m not going to hold it against this though either. With things that I’ve already said, they don’t get a good look at it. We have glimpses or see it through night vision. That is strategic in part. We can’t critique what we see. What I’ll say is that it is humanoid. Seeing the eyes glowing is terrifying as well. This also means they don’t need a lot in the effects department since it is hidden or seen only through night vision. I’ll give credit here for working with what you have and in the confines of your medium.
Next will be the rest of the filmmaking. I think this works as a found footage movie. I told Jaime that a gripe myself and others have is why are they still filming. We have a news crew. Originally, they were trying to get a story. It is so dark down there. They need the light from the camera or night vision. That allows them to see as well as us. There is also the claustrophobic feel of where they're at that works. The cinematography also helps capture that. All the sounds are diegetic which adds to the realism. My only gripe is that it is hard to see and I want to know more about what they encounter. I get why they don't, our characters don't know. This is a personal thing as a horror fan so I can't necessarily fault the movie.
Where I'll then go is to the acting. I thought that Deliá, Rodoreda, Davis and Arnold worked as the news team that we follow. They feel natural. What frustrated me though was that Natasha seems to be looked down upon for being a woman. How Peter and her talk causes Steve and Tangles to think they hooked up. This feels like real life though, especially when you have immature people. Their acting fits and I'd believe they were these people in real life. Caitlin, Maclaine and the rest of the cast also rounded this out for what was needed. I'll also credit Goran D. Kleut, who is listed as ‘Stalker’. I'm guessing he was whatever is after our group in the tunnels.
In conclusion, this is a solid little found footage film from Australia. I like our set up. It feels real that this news team has discovered a story and investigated further. The government isn't being forthcoming with answers which makes them delve deeper. Then taking this underground like they do is great. I love the setting. That alone is scary with the prospect of getting lost. I would like to see and know a bit more about what they run into, but I get why we don't. The acting is good to bring the characters to life. This is well made from the cinematography and setting. If you like this filming style, then I'd recommend giving this one a watch for sure.
My Rating: 7 out of 10