The Shadow Within (2007)

A supernatural thriller about Maurice Dumont, a nine year-old who can connect with the dead. Propelled by grief over the death of Maurice's twin brother Jacques at birth, his mother Marie ... See full summary »

Director:

Silvana Zancolò

Writers:

Pascal Françaix (based on the novel "Les Mères Noires"), Silvana Zancolò (screenplay)

Stars:

Laurence Belcher, Hayley J Williams, Beth Winslet

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview:
Laurence Belcher	...	Maurice Dumont
Hayley J Williams	...	Marie Dumont
Beth Winslet	...	Dr. Prevost
Rod Hallett	...	Monsieur Prevost
Bonny Ambrose	...	Madame Armand
Belinda Peters	...	Madame Dauby
Lacey Bond	...	Madame Corbeil
Georgia Mitchell	...	Madame Piecuche
Peter Shepherd	...	Father Guillame
Lionello Gennero	...	The Photographer
Bridget Luise Robbie	...	The Midwife
Stephen Chance	...	The Doctor
Fabio Fasano	...	Little Dauby

Storyline

A supernatural thriller about Maurice Dumont, a nine year-old who can connect with the dead. Propelled by grief over the death of Maurice's twin brother Jacques at birth, his mother Marie falls under the influence of Madame Armand, who convinces Marie to force her son to act as a medium to the next world. As Jacques asserts himself through Maurice, he comes to the realization that they both desire the same thing: their parents' love, only Jacques does not want to return to the living: he wants his parents to join him in the afterlife.

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Plot Keywords:

death | f rated | bruise | mother child relationship | photo shoot | 

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent content and nudity

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 2010 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Belső árnyék

Filming Locations:

Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shadow Within, The, Pixeldna, Wee Dram Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

A truly gifted child (especially at acting)

Surprisingly little has been written about this quirky little horror film, which I watched last night. It's intriguing on a number of levels: when it's set and where it's set for that matter I found to be bit ambiguous but oddly enough that wasn't to the film's detriment.

Because of the lack of information surrounding it, I presumed it would be some low-budget independent affair but The Shadow Within is anything but. The cinematography is wonderful and the town setting gloriously picturesque. The story tells of a nine-year-old boy who lives with his widowed mother. The youngster, Maurice Dumont - it has to be said, a remarkable performance by Laurence Belcher effortlessly out-classing the adult stars of the film - has a unique gift. Well, not exactly unique in movie terms - Haley Joel Osment had it in The Sixth Sense. But Maurice's gift is slightly more specific in that he is able to communicate with the spirits of his deceased school chums - many of whom have been killed by the plague wiping out the village's young.

The bereaved mothers of the village realise Maurice has a gift and want to harness that power so they can contact their lost loved ones. But Maurice and his mother have also suffered terrible losses and now she realises she could turn to her son's gift to be reunited with someone she has been obsessing over. All at a cost to young Maurice who has endured a cold loveless childhood at the hands of his grieving mother. Plot-wise I'll leave it at that. Suffice to say this is definitely worth checking out. It looks sumptuous, there are some good creepy effects (one particular use of CGI to show the spirits shadowing the living is particularly effective) and as I said the youngster's doomed, haunted performance is flawless.