The Tunnel (2011 film)

The Tunnel is a 2011 Australian found-footage horror film directed by Carlo Ledesma and co-written and co-produced by Julian Harvey and Enzo Tedeschi. The film follows a journalist, Natasha Warner, and her crew as they investigate abandoned railway tunnels beneath Sydney in search of a rumored homeless community, only to discover a terrifying secret.

The film gained notoriety for its innovative distribution model, dubbed "BitTorrent for Distribution" by the filmmakers. Rather than relying solely on traditional theatrical or DVD releases, the producers deliberately embraced piracy by releasing the film for free download via BitTorrent from the day of its cinema release. They recouped their production costs by pre-selling individual frames of the film as digital assets to fans.

The film stars Bel Deliá as Natasha Warner, Andy Rodoreda as Peter Ferguson, Steve Davis as Steve Miller, Luke Arnold as Jim Williams, and Goran D. Kleut as the enigmatic "Tunnel Dweller."

The Tunnel is often noted for its claustrophobic atmosphere and effective use of found-footage techniques to create a sense of realism and dread. Its reception was generally positive, with critics praising its suspense, performances, and unique distribution strategy, while some found the plot predictable. The film raised questions about the ethical implications of filming individuals without their consent, even in a fictional context.