Director Isabella Torre, who wrote, directed, and starred in her debut short film Nymphs, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, returns to mythology with her first feature film Basileia.

Set in the misty, rugged Aspromonte mountains of Italy, the film follows an archaeologist and their team as they search for an ancient treasure. However, their excavation unleashes mysterious mythological creatures that forever alter the lives of the village's inhabitants. Emerging from the depths of a wounded and desecrated planet, the Nymphs—threatening yet charismatic beings—appear to restore the boundary between humans and the mysteries of the world.

The Aspromonte region in Calabria, Italy, is not just a backdrop but an essential element of Basileia, deeply intertwined with the film’s mood and meaning. The film’s thematic exploration of mysticism, survival, and the interaction between nature and humanity is vividly reflected in the landscape and cultural context of the region. The portrayal of mystical energies and ethereal creatures echoes the intrinsic qualities of the scenery, with towering mountains, dense forests, and enveloping fog creating a specific ambiance. To preserve authenticity, Torre cast many of the film’s actors from local inhabitants.

As the closing film of the Venice Film Festival, Basileia impresses with its striking cinematography and original storytelling, making it a promising debut feature.