An Italian spy story. Based on true events.

Stay Behind is a spy/conspiracy short film which introduces a TV series concept. 

Director Federica Schiavello brought me on board as Director of Photography and I couldn’t be more excited! During the summer we’ve been doing meetings, recce and lots of planning. We are also trying to fund the project through Kickstarter:

“ The Cold War has ended but many secrets are still unravelled in Italy. This is the premise of the film, which explores how a parallel State lays behind a lot of unsolved events that changed Italy's history. This Parallel State takes the form of a hidden figure of the time, Antonella, one of those rare women belonging to the Italian Secret Services, in particular to Operation Gladio. In the film, Antonella, played by Heléna Antonio, walks through oneiric scenarios, being the only voice of this part of history, she confesses what the Stay Behind Operation is: a secret paramilitary organisation created to protect the West from a Soviet Invasion. However, this strangely intertwines with key events of Italy’s history that don’t seem to be related to the object of the mission. In fact, throughout Antonella’s monologue, we walk through stylised and oneiric setups such as the Moro kidnapping, The Blue Moon Operation and other terroristic/mafia attacks during the Years of Lead. For this, the film is inspired to be filmed through long takes like David Fincher's and, at the same time, keeping dreamy frames like Federico Fellini's, in order to give a real yet absurd vision of what happened behind those events.”

To know more about the history background, teaser trailer, the film plot, the characters & more, follow the link to the Kickstarter page! And… don’t forget to support it! We are close to the campaign goal and only thanks to your support we can make it!