Have you heard about the 135K Project? Well, it’s an alternative film financing model. It is the frame-selling, crowd-funding free internet movie release model behind the smash hit ‘The Tunnel’.
Overall, the movie The Tunnel is a good experience for a low budget and fan-funded horror project. What’s interesting about the film is that it very aptly used the now popular mock-documentary, gorilla or found-footage style of filmmaking.
Before revealing much about the film The Tunnel, let me explain something that is a fact in general.
Under every big city around the world there lie unknown tunnels created for different purposes like underground trains, tap water sources, flood control, etc. The movie is based on one of such tunnels in one of Australia’s largest cities Sydney.
The tunnels were created as rail tunnels but somehow the construction was abandoned later, although two decades later the tunnels were used as an air-raid shelter during World War II.
Thereafter, those were deserted for a long but a few years ago, the New South Wales Government came up with a proposal to use the water inside the tunnel to meet the water shortage in the city. After much thought and publicity, the proposal mysteriously closed just like the construction of a tunnel decades ago. Hence, the story begins…
The Tunnel (2011) – A Found Footage Film
‘The Tunnel’ – Official synopsis
In 2007 the New South Wales government suddenly scrapped a plan to utilize the water in the disused underground train tunnels beneath Sydney.
In 2008, chasing rumors of a government coverup and urban legends surrounding the sudden backflip, investigative journalist Natasha Warner led a crew of four into the underground labyrinth.
They went down into the tunnels looking for a story – until the story found them. This is the film of their harrowing ordeal. With unprecedented access to the recently declassified tapes they shot in the claustrophobic subway tunnels, as well as a series of candid interviews with the survivors, they come face to face with the terrifying truth.
This never before seen footage takes you deep inside the tunnels bringing the darkness to life and capturing the raw fear that threatens to tear the crew apart, leaving each one of them fighting for their lives.
Directed by Australian filmmaker Carlo Ledesma, The Tunnel is a very good piece of work although not exceptional. The director very cleverly uses much of the first few minutes to build the plot without going straight into the creepiness of the tunnel. In addition, you actually don’t see the face of the assailant which keeps you guessing till the end and this somehow works here.
‘The Tunnel’, an Australian found-footage horror film directed by Carlo Ledesma.
Cast: Bel Delia, Andy Rodoreda, Steve Davis, Luke Arnold, Goran D. Kleut, James Caitlin and Russell Jeffrey.
Directed by Carlo Ledesma
Written by Julian Harvey and Enzo Tedeschi
Cinematography: Shing Fung Cheung and Steve Davis
Release Date/Year: May 18, 2011
Where to watch The Tunnel (2011)
