Francesco Dalli Cani to headline supernatural horror film Fallen

Francesco Dalli Cani stars in Fallen, a supernatural horror film that is heading into U.S. and international festival submissions. The project pairs psychological suspense with themes of faith, redemption, and sacrifice as it prepares for its next phase. Why it matters: - Fallen is being positioned as more than a standard horror film, with themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption driving the story. - The film gives Francesco Dalli Cani a dual lead role that required major physical and psychological transformation. - Festival exposure in the United States and Italy could shape the film’s future distribution path. What happened: - Francesco Dalli Cani leads Fallen, a supernatural horror film written and directed by Madison Champine and produced by Robert Hughes. - The film follows Father Antonio Luci, a young priest who isolates himself in a deconsecrated abbey in northern Italy after being haunted by a supernatural entity called a Fallen. - Dalli Cani plays both Father Antonio and the entity Ugo. - Festival submissions are planned in both the United States and Italy. The details: - Father Antonio tries repeated self-exorcisms but cannot remove the presence. - Ugo makes a request that turns the conflict into an ideological battle rather than a physical one. - The story centers on whether a soul can be saved, even when it seems lost. - Dalli Cani is from Vicenza, Italy, and moved to Los Angeles after graduating from the University of Padova. - He later earned an MFA in Acting for Film from the New York Film Academy. - Dalli Cani worked with an ordained exorcist from Italy on theology, exorcism practices, faith, redemption, and identity. - He followed a six-month fitness and nutrition plan with a personal trainer and his longtime Italian nutritionist. - The regimen included weight training, cardio, swimming, and a ketogenic diet. - Dalli Cani completed regular medical testing during the transformation process. - Dialect coach Jessica Tolstiz helped him create distinct vocal identities for the two characters. - Filming took place over three days at the Universal Unitarian Church and the historic Waite Mansion in Riverside, California. - The production changed locations one week before shooting after the original site became unavailable. - Cast and crew referred to Dalli Cani as “Father” during Antonio scenes to keep him immersed in character. - Scenes with Antonio and Ugo together required precise eyelines, timing, movement, and continuity to sell the dual performance. - Dalli Cani drew character inspiration from animal behavior, imagining Antonio as turtle-like and Ugo as fox-like. - His earlier training in Classical Studies and Law informed his work on the film, especially with Latin prayers and theological dialogue. Between the lines: - The production appears designed to elevate the horror premise through philosophy and religious symbolism, not just scares. - Casting one actor as both central figures suggests the film is relying heavily on performance and technical execution to carry its core conflict. - The intensive preparation points to a project built around contrast: faith versus doubt, discipline versus chaos, and devotion versus temptation. What’s next: - Fallen will begin its festival run in the United States and internationally. - Distribution plans will be announced after the festival circuit. - Francesco Dalli Cani is continuing to build credits across film, television, and independent productions. - More information is available through Francesco Dalli Cani’s Instagram .