Dariuss

The film opens with an evocative nod to the atmosphere of early silent cinema, quickly transitioning into the video art aesthetics of the 1970s. It then seamlessly evolves into an epilogue that embraces a more experimental, psychedelic style infused with an unmistakably urban edge.

Though the images appear self-contained, they gradually reveal their interconnectedness, culminating in a moment of clarity in the final scenes of this medium-length film, directed and written by Guerilla Metropolitana, a young Italian artist now thriving in the vibrant chaos of London.

Two worlds meet where the constraints of respectability, are cast aside in favour of a liberating space that celebrates experimentation and excess.

"Dariuss" isn't a conventional film, but rather a visual and sensory experiment that pushes the limits of extremity with a deliberately refined and provocative style.

Sexuality has a twisted meaning, becoming a mechanism of self-defence and solace for pain, explored in such an explicit and distorted way that it provokes a deep sense of disgust and discomfort in the viewer. There's nothing more unsettling than seeking comfort through the most hedonistic act, what some might call 'exquisite pain'. Sex and death, sex and blood, sex and pain - visceral and raw.

This work is far from easy to digest. Its non-linear plot and harsh, bizarre aesthetic might alienate fans of more traditional horror. However, for those willing to immerse themselves in the dark, unconventional world crafted by Guerilla Metropolitana, the experience will be unforgettable.

"Dariuss" defies the conventions of contemporary cinema, harking back to its origins by restoring the lost power of images, allowing them to speak for themselves. It pulls the viewer into a non-return journey, where the gaze remains fixed on the screen while the mind drifts into its darkest, most visionary depths, conjuring impure thoughts and evoking a mix of horror and exhilaration.

Cinematic tradition dissolves, making way for the unrestrained creativity of a young director who masterfully blends colour, distorted visuals, sound, and music to craft an unsettling atmosphere of a world you want to escape from, yet it mesmerizes, trapping your mind in a hypnotic trance as the narrative blending to take form.

The movie's subject and interpretation are left to the viewer’s imagination, even if it has a clear thread emerges an exploration of the human mind's descent into madness as it grapples with the grief of losing a loved one. Deception, disillusionment, and the erosion of sanity lead the psyche down its most extreme path - towards the brink of illness.