Five FrightFest Facts with Parish Malfitano from ‘Salt Along the Tongue’

Some horror films aim to terrify, others to shock, but Salt Along the Tongue works its way under the skin with something stranger and more poetic. The latest feature from Italian-Australian filmmaker Parish Malfitano, the film explores grief, possession, superstition and family bonds, all filtered through the sensuous language of food. When a mother uses her daughter as a vessel to ward off a malevolent spirit, the result is a story that sits somewhere between melodrama, camp, witchcraft and intimate family tragedy.

Malfitano, whose debut Bloodshot Heart marked him as a bold new voice in Australian cinema, draws on a wide range of influences from European arthouse to cult horror, weaving them into a film that is at once personal and stylised. With its all-female community, its exploration of love and conflict between generations, and its surreal imagery, Salt Along the Tongue feels both steeped in tradition and strikingly original.

In this Five FrightFest Facts interview, Malfitano reflects on the films and influences that shaped his vision, the challenges of making fiercely independent cinema, and the peculiar horror movie his own life might resemble.

Parish Malfitano, writer-director

1. Tell us about your film

Salt Along the Tongue is about a mother who possesses her daughter as a way of protecting her from a malevolent spirit and reconciling with her sister, using food as a gateway. If you love food, possession, superstition, and mums then there is a good chance you might like this.

2. How did you get into making movies?

One of my brothers is around eleven years older than me, which means I grew up with a lot of cinema from before my time, especially American cinema from the 70s and 80s. Growing up, he had a bookshelf full of DVDs, most of which I was probably too young to watch, but that didn’t stop me. This bookshelf of films, especially as a kid, was like a monolith, my altar. I remember loving watching all of the ‘Making of’ special features, and I found that a lot of the time the behind the scenes world was more exciting than the films themselves. The discovery of soundtracks was another significant way I discovered films and fell in love with the notion of communicating emotions and stories onscreen. Once I got into my early twenties, I dove into a lot of European cinema, especially from Italy, France, and Poland, which continues to inspire my work.

3. What films would you love to see screened at FrightFest and why?

I don’t really know, the programming is great! Maybe some more retrospectives. If I had to choose, then some of the films that inspired Salt Along the Tongue, such as Three Women, The Double Life of Veronique, Dead Ringers (the 1964 film with Bette Davis), La Ceremonie, and even De Palma’s Sisters. Salt Along the Tongue sits on the edge of horror, camp, and 60s melodrama while also feeling like a warm hug from mum.

4. If you could create your own award to give at FrightFest, what would it be and why?

I am going to be biased and say Best Indie Film. Salt Along the Tongue was made with very little but by passionate people with a lot of love for this story and the world I wanted to create. I am proud of the fact that we made an underground film that looks like it is not.

5. If your life was made into a horror film, what would it be called and who would play the starring role?

Scary Spaghetti, starring Bob Hoskins. Alternatively, re-edit Who Framed Roger Rabbit to include me as a cartoon version. I am sure that would be both wonderful and horrific. Also, some additional casting: my mum, especially when she was younger, looked like Fran Drescher, so we would have to get her. My dad looked like Sylvester Stallone during the 70s. If we cannot bring Bob Hoskins back from the dead, then my second choice would have to be Joe Pesci.

Salt Along the Tongue receives its world premiere at FrightFest on 22 August 2025.

Salt Along the Tongue trailer