The Perfume of the Lady in Black

The story unfolds primarily in Rome, where Silvia works at a chemical laboratory and daily life intersects with darker memories. The narrative also reaches Afro-Italian circles in Africa, hinting at a broader cultural backdrop. An atmosphere of hidden spaces emerges as an underground network of tunnels becomes a pivotal setting for the cult.

🪞 Reality vs Illusion

Silvia's waking life is repeatedly pierced by dreamlike visions and fragments from her past, making it hard to distinguish what is real. The boundary between memory and present danger grows increasingly porous as events unfold. The film uses these blurred lines to create a sense of paranoia and instability that drives the plot.

🧠 Trauma & Memory

The narrative centers on Silvia's unresolved trauma, including memories of her mother and a troubled family history. Hallucinations, recalling moments like Marta's past and other haunting images, intrude into her present life. This trauma shapes how she perceives threats and responds to them.

🕯️ Cult & Secret Society

A clandestine cult operates in the shadows, surfacing during a séance and within an abandoned tunnel network. The group wears blue lab coats, blending ritualistic elements with a scientific veneer. Their manipulation of Silvia's reality leads to escalating violence and ritualistic intersections.

👀 Paranoia & Surveillance

Neighbors, colleagues, and service workers cast knowing glances that amplify Silvia's sense of being watched. The séance and the cult’s hidden influence heighten the feeling that a larger, unseen network orchestrates events. Surveillance motifs underscore how social spaces can trap and control individuals.