Out of more than two thousand submissions, the screenplay for Salt Along the Tongue was a semifinalist in the American Zoetrope contest judged by Francis Ford Coppola.
A supernatural horror, after the sudden death of her mother, Mina (Dina Panozzo), Mattia (Laneikka Denne) is given no choice but to live with her estranged aunt, her mother’s identical twin. As Mattia grapples with the loss of her mother, a treacherous secret begins to unfurl, threatening her life. From beyond the grave, Mina possesses her daughter in an attempt to protect her from the same fate that befell her and find reconciliation with her sister, using food as a gateway.
Daniel Pollock is producing alongside Parish Malfitano and Kristen Settinelli, with a talented crew highlighted by Director of Photography, Susan Lumsdon, Production Designer, Thom Muir, Costume Designers, Tess Torrisi & Victoria Perry, Casting Director, Melissa Brattoni, 1st Assistant Director, Mikaela Franco, Makeup/SFX artist, Reza Eimanijo, Intimacy Coordinator, Trish Speers, and Composer, Ola Turkiewicz.
The all-female cast also includes Mayu Iwasaki, Maria De Marco, Caroline Levien, Olga Olshansky, Helen Vassiliadis, Nicole Toum, Liz Lin, Saroni Roy, and Rita Kara.
Speaking of the film, Malfitano said, “Family and food – two things usually associated with love and togetherness, but in Salt Along the Tongue, are associated with trauma and possession. Salt Along the Tongue was written out of necessity – a need to explore familial bonds, secrets, and guilt, especially through the lens of my Italian heritage. To me, there are few things more frightening than knowing the truth but not being believed. This is a love letter to my mother, all mothers, told by way of food, superstition, possession, and ghosts.”
Settinelli added, “As a woman with a Greek and Italian background, I grew up with a family steeped in strong traditions and visions, so it’s amazing to see a film utilise these elements to explore a spiritual delirium rarely seen in the genre. Parish has managed to write something that frightens you not through jump scares, but rather ideas that crawl along the spine, and does so in a way that delves thoroughly into the female experience. It also makes you want to give your mum a big hug at the end of it!”
Salt Along the Tongue aims to be ready for a 2024 festival run, followed by a broader theatrical and streaming release later that year.
Salt Along the Tongue is produced by Bloodshot Pictures.
The producers are continuing to look for post-production investment.
