Over 30 years after it was first released direct-to-video on VHS, the internationally acclaimed underground vampire shocker DARKNESS is hitting the BIG SCREEN with the original 1990's Heavy Metal from APOSTASY, THE GRUNGE, SCEPTER and KNIGHT fully restored to the soundtrack!  

Originally director Leif Jonker never intended the micro-budgeted DARKNESS to be released at all, not on video or to festivals. Jonker was only 17 years old when he wrote the script and 19 when he began shooting with an initial cash budget of only $2000 to start buying equipment and film. Recruiting other teenagers from around town, Jonker and the ragtag cast & crew of beginners dove into haphazard, sporadic filming throughout 1989 and 1990 until they eventually scraped together the production, finishing post-production in 1992.  The funds during filming were negligible so there was never any money for food on the set and often the production stole electricity from outdoor outlets found among various strip malls and gas stations.  There was also an extended period where Jonker and actor/FX artist Gary Miller were giving plasma regularly to pay bills and buy extra film. Yes, they sold their blood to make a vampire movie!

Now, for the first time ever, the original film elements of DARKNESS have been scanned in 2K, and we're over the moon to be hosting the world premiere of the new restoration of this underground classic!