Dan Rizzuto Director Debut

Filmmaker Dan Rizzuto directorial debut feature film Torn: Dark Bullets will be released on Amazon Prime Video in Canada on Friday, April 24th. The thriller is a raw and unapologetic look into a police shooting, racism and the connections they share.

Torn: Dark Bullets stars Sam Vincent, Dexter Bell and William ‘Big Sleeps’ Stewart, Karen Holness, Christina Lewall and will be released in 2020

Director/Writer/Producer/Actor/ and Stunt/Fight Coordinator Dan Rizzuto is a well-respected filmmaker that leaves no stone unturned. One of his most ambitious projects to date is the feature film Torn: Dark Bullets, that tackles racial tensions. With plans to be released this year, Dan wrote the feature film with his writing partner Joshua Mazerolle. He also co-produced this feature film directorial debut with his producing partner Scott Bailey. 

While on duty, Detective Pearce shoots and kills a black teenager. During the criminal trial Pearce is found not guilty. Despite his acquittal, Pearce’s personal life deteriorates as he uses booze and self-pity to cope. Amidst one of these bouts with the bottle, Pearce becomes aware of a civil lawsuit filed by the family for loss of life and damages. In a moment of alcohol fueled self-righteousness, Pearce decides to confront the parents of the victim. When Pearce arrives at their home, circumstances spiral into a hostile situation that continues to ramp in intensity as more people become involved, creating a pressure cooker where all secrets are revealed.

Torn: Dark Bullets stars Sam Vincent, Dexter Bell, William ‘Big Sleeps’ Stewart Karen Holness and Christina Lewall.

Torn: Dark Bullets has defied many people’s expectations by delivering a story dealing in thought-provoking subject matter— he wants future projects to do the same. Rizzuto adds, “Authentic stories are what I want to do, I think that is lost in the world today.”

Dan Rizzuto has worked in many movie business roles, from bodyguard to the stars to stuntman and stunt-fight coordinator. He has directed a number of short films, music videos (with Grammy winning artists and producers)  and 2nd unit directed, so he was ready for the challenge of directing his first full length feature film with everything he has learned being on set with some of the best directors in the world.

Rizzuto’s career has seen him share film sets with movie stars like Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Tom Cruise and renowned martial artists Iko Uwais, Tony Jaa, Steven Seagal and many others. 

Rizzuto is a stunt-fight coordinator for popular TV series that include Wu Assassins (Netflix) Van Helsing (Netflix), Legions, Lucifer, Boss Level, EL Chicano, Psych, and Lockdown to name a few.

He has also worked as a stunt performer on the feature films Deadpool, Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol, Tomorrowland, Underworld Awakening, Man of Steel, Godzilla and Watchman.

As an actor, Rizzuto credits include Jiu Jitsu Movie, Van Helsing, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Bates Motel, Need for Speed and Night At The Museum.

In addition to being one of the most sought-after fight coordinators, Dan owns and operates one of the most recognized stunt training facilities in North America called M1 Action Design where actors and stunt performers train. 

Dan has risen to the challenges that the film industry brings with it and has broken barriers and taken giant leaps, never looking back. Performing first as a Stunt Man, Dan was quickly recognized for his unique fighting techniques and started getting hired as a Fight Choreographer; where he really has excelled.

In 1998 his life turned around when he was a celebrity bodyguard working on set and realized that he wanted to become a stunt professional. Now, with 21years of on set film industry experience there is no stopping him.

As a former professional fighter under UFC legend Frank Shamrock, a first degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and holding certification under world renowned Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Marital Arts Masters, Ron Balicki, Diana Lee Inosanto and legendary Dan Inosanto; Dan plans on taking these skills to his 2nd film. Which is slated to be a hardcore action film to resemble the old gritty style of stunts.

Dan splits his time between productions in Vancouver and around the globe. Recently shooting in Atlanta, Thailand, and Cyprus.

Rizzuto’s future projects are being developed through Cerebral Monkey Entertainment Inc, a company he started four years ago. Dan and his team have started to acquire funding for an action film called ‘The Pound’ which is set to shoot in Indonesia.  He has described the project as an action packed thrill ride. 

Dan Rizzuto is available for interviews upon request.

For more information, photos and interviews please contact:

Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Links to Dan Rizzuto and Torn: