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We go behind the scenes of the new crime thriller “Shadows” with filmmaker Michael Matteo Rossi to learn what inspired his latest film.

Michael Matteo Rossi’s third feature-length film, Shadows, is a stylish thriller about “A young low-level drug dealer who is reunited with his estranged mom and uncle to protect him when a ruthless drug kingpin puts a hit on him.” (IMDb).

Filmed in late 2019, Shadows is now being made available to horror fans worldwide. To celebrate the film’s release on VOD, I chatted with Michael about the inspiration behind the film, why he loves horror, what’s up next, and more!

Morbidly Beautiful: What inspired Shadows, and how did the project come about?

Michael Matteo Rossi: I knew I wanted to tell a story of family mixed with action and a haunted past. I feel it made the characters a lot more interesting and dynamic to be thrown into that type of world.

Morbidly Beautiful: Was there anything in the script that you were adamant about keeping in the film, no matter what?

Michael Matteo Rossi: A lot of the action because I knew the blend of action and drama would work for this film; I knew I had to get the final climax scene right.

Morbidly Beautiful: How did you convey your vision of the film to your cast and crew?

Michael Matteo Rossi: I told them a mix of Scorsese, James Cameron, and Michael Mann — and the rest was just talking in great lengths about the characters to my specific actors to get the role down right.

Morbidly Beautiful: What made you want to be a filmmaker?

Michael Matteo Rossi: I always loved telling and writing stories, and just was drawn to the medium of film to tell them. I grew up watching a lot of classic films, too, and always wanted to make films like that and the films I saw in the theater.

Morbidly Beautiful: What draws you to the horror genre?

Michael Matteo Rossi: I like psychological horror the best out of that genre, and I’d say my love for Hitchcock is what really inspires me to make horror films. 

Morbidly Beautiful: What would be your weapon of choice in a zombie apocalypse?

Michael Matteo Rossi: A desert eagle

Morbidly Beautiful: Interesting choice! What’s up next for you?

Michael Matteo Rossi: I’m shooting my next feature film, an action crime thriller called “The Charisma Killers” in October and am very excited about it!

Morbidly Beautiful: That is exciting! One last question for you. What’s your favorite scary movie?

Michael Matteo Rossi: The Shining

Thank you so much to Michael for taking the time to speak with us. Be sure to catch Shadows on VOD now!

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