The Heiress Lethal, also known as The Fatal Heir, is a 2010 American noir comedy short film directed by Michael Brueggemeyer and written by Marianne Bates. The film stars Merrick McCartha, Cristyn Chandler, Jim Teiper and Ron Christopher Jones. It won Best Film at 48 Hour Film Project San Diego and screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival after qualifying through Filmapalooza at the Miami International Film Festival. The film was later nominated for a Pacific Southwest Emmy Award at National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
| The Heiress Lethal | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Brueggemeyer |
| Written by | Marianne Bates |
| Produced by | Tony Mingee |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Bill Bork |
| Edited by | Michael Towe |
Production companies |
|
Release date |
|
Running time | 10 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editVeronica Baker is accused of murdering her husband to collect on his company's fortune. Johnny Love must find out if Mrs. Baker is being truthful.
Cast
edit- Merrick McCartha
- Cristyn Chandler
- Jim Teiper
- Ron Christopher Jones
- Theresa Layne
- Lorien Hill-Purcell
- Peter Buitenhek
Production
editPrincipal photography for the film took place at The Old Townhouse Restaurant in Ocean Beach, San Diego.[1] It was written, filmed in black and white and edited within 48 hours.[2] Brueggemeyer said "We wanted to turn film noir genre on its ears," referring to Chandler's character having a flatulence issue.[3]
Release
editThe film premiered July 29, 2010 at the 48 Hour Film Project[4][1] in San Diego, California.[5] It later screened at Filmapalooza as part of the Miami International Film Festival as well as the 2011 Cannes Film Festival's Short Film Corner in France.[2][6][3]
Reception
editOf the 90 international films that represented different global cities at Filmapalooza,[6] The Fatal Heir put San Diego in the top 16[7] which made it eligible for the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.[6]
| List of awards and nominations | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Festival | Year | Award | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
| 48 Hour Film Project San Diego | 2010 | Best Acting Ensemble | Merrick McCartha, Cristyn Chandler, Jim Teiper, Ron Christopher Jones, Theresa Layne, Lorien Hill-Purcell, Peter Buitenhek | Won | [2] |
| Best Cinematography | Bill Bork | Won | [5] | ||
| Best Director | Mike Brueggemeyer | Won | |||
| Best Film | The Fatal Heir | Won | |||
| Audience Award: Group D | The Fatal Heir | Won | [4] | ||
| San Diego Film Awards | 2014 | Best Actor | Merrick McCartha | Won | [8] |
| Best Cinematography | Bill Bork | Won | |||
| National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences | 2016 | Short Format Program for Pacific Southwest Emmy Award | Michael Towe, Mike Brueggemeyer, Marianne Bates | Nominated | [9] |
References
edit- ^ a b Bell, Diane (2011-05-18). "Director of Short 'Film Noir' Filmed in Ocean Beach Takes On Cannes". OB Rag. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ a b c Kragen, Pam (2011-04-27). "BACKSTAGE: Encinitas blues singer Steve White dies". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ a b Vara, Juliette (2011-04-17). "BRIEF: Local film crew heads to Cannes". KSWB-TV. ProQuest 862220576 – via ProQuest.
- ^ a b "The 48 Hour Film Project: San Diego". 48 Hour Film Project. 2010-09-17. Archived from the original on 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ a b York, Tom (2010-08-15). "'Beautiful Little Film Noir' Wins Honors at Fest". San Diego Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2023-07-08. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ a b c "I see a large check signed by Uncle Sam". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2011-04-17. Archived from the original on 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ Hocking, Chris (2010). "LateNite Legacy". Late Night Films. Archived from the original on 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ "First Ever winners of the San Diego Film Awards 2014 - Film Consortium San Diego". Film Consortium San Diego. 2015-01-04. Archived from the original on 2015-01-04. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
- ^ "The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter Emmy® Nominations May 3, 2016" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2016-05-03. p. 9.