The Tunnel (2009 film)

The Tunnel is an Australian found-footage horror film directed by Carlo Ledesma and co-written and produced by Julian Harvey and Enzo Tedeschi. Released in 2009, the film gained notoriety as the first Australian film to be distributed online via a BitTorrent platform, alongside traditional distribution methods.

The film follows a news crew, led by journalist Natasha Warner (Bel Delia), as they investigate abandoned railway tunnels beneath Sydney's city streets. The crew suspects the tunnels are being used by the government for a secretive, undisclosed purpose, specifically linked to Sydney's water recycling plans. As they delve deeper into the tunnels, they encounter evidence of a cover-up and increasingly disturbing signs suggesting they are not alone. The story unfolds through the "found footage" perspective, presenting the events as recorded by the news crew's cameras before they mysteriously disappeared.

The plot focuses on the escalating tension and fear as the crew discovers they are being stalked by an unseen entity, leading to a harrowing confrontation. The film explores themes of government conspiracy, urban legends, and the psychological effects of isolation and fear in confined spaces.

The release strategy involved a combination of traditional theatrical screenings and digital distribution, including a pioneering "pay-what-you-feel" model on BitTorrent. This innovative approach garnered significant media attention and contributed to the film's cult following.