Evan's Blog

Another spin on the classic and truly twisted Edgar Allan Poe tale The Tell Tale Heart will be causing a stir at this year's Cannes Film Market, and we have the trailer and sales art for you right here. Dig it!

From the Press Release:

Darclight Films, the edgy genre-driven label of Arclight Films, announces the acquisition and release of first-look footage of John La Tier’s inspired directorial debut THE TELL TALE HEART starring Rose McGowan (GRINDHOUSE, TVs "CHARMED," JAWBREAKER, SCREAM), Peter Bogdanovich ("THE SOPRANOS," HUMBOLDT COUNTY, FESTIVAL IN CANNES, TVs "THE SIMPSONS") and Patrick John Flueger (FOOTLOOSE, BROTHERS, TVs "THE 4400"). Based on the classic short story of the same name penned by Edgar Allan Poe, America’s first master of horror over 150 years ago, La Tier, who also co-wrote the script, transplants the gloomy Gothic story into vibrant and enchanting modern day New Orleans. Darclight Films will be sharing never-before-seen footage in Cannes.

“We're thrilled to present THE TELL TALE HEART to buyers for the very first time, and Cannes is the perfect place to do so,” said Clay Epstein, VP of Sales and Acquisitions for Arclight Films, who secured the deal. “It's one of Edgar Allan Poe's most well known stories, and only a few others have been translated into as many languages worldwide as THE TELL TALE HEART. The combination of the incredibly talented team of cast and crew that have come together to give new life to a truly classic and horrifying tale and a built-in global audience give the film outstanding commercial viability.”

THE TELL TALE HEART remains true to the original insofar as the story's protagonist is tormented by the still-beating heart of the old vulture-eyed man he murdered and buried beneath the floorboards of his residence. The film grows the tale and expands the character's troubled mindscape to include a hauntingly romantic arc illuminated by McGowan. The filmmakers were adamant about maintaining a fervent connection to the classic and world-renowned tale's literary roots.

“It's arguably the seed of the entire genre,” said La Tier, who was compelled to resurrect Poe's story albeit with a twist. Certainly Poe created a unique and starkly terrifying approach to horror fiction. He placed his readers in the minds of his mad characters and so had a way of leaving his readers feeling insane themselves. “The fear of the characters became the fear of the readers. I wanted to remain true to that while broadening the character's psyche through the introduction of a female element to hint at the possibility of redemption, something entirely missing in Poe's sublime version,” stated La Tier.

Moving the location of THE TELL TALE HEART to New Orleans was a stroke of inspired creativity. “I think the city is definitely a character,” said McGowan. “If there was going to be a city with a heartbeat under its floorboards, New Orleans is it.”

“The director, John La Tier, did a magnificent job of encapsulating the essence of Poe's classic story with a modern surprise while capturing the soul of one of the most unique cities in the world,” according to Executive Producer, Joey Tufaro.

THE TELL TALE HEART was produced by Daniel Zirilli via Popart Film Factory and Leverage Entertainment.

Darclight Films is handling worldwide sales.

Source: Dread Central

Rose McGowan is letting her hairstyle go to her head.

The newly platinum blond actress says her look is giving her a toughness she hadn’t had before. “Part of [going blond] is because I’ve been told [brunettes] look accessible and pleasing to the men in L.A. so as not to scare them. But then I realized I always scare them so f— it — I’m just going to do whatever I want and I’ve always wanted short platinum blond hair so screw it….The men in Hollywood aren’t men men — they’re guys like [whispers] Judd Apatow.”

She says this last part while making a face to suggest that Apatow doesn’t chop his own wood, and adds, “Real men are hard to come by.”

McGowan is so fierce during our recent interview on the Rooftop Terrace at Gramercy Park Hotel, it is hard to believe that the whole point in her talking to me is to promote the limited edition rose wine, Apothic Rose (pronounced like the flower, hence the hiring of McGowan; get it?).

Simply put, she seems like the type of female to slam back some tequila shots while bemoaning the state of Hollywood instead of sipping on wine.

“I only drink Rosé, isn’t that funny?” she says in a way that makes me feel it isn’t contractually obligated. “I like it ghetto style — I usually pop an ice cube in it to chill it and take the sweetness out of it.”

McGowan came to the hotel fresh off of a flight from Australia, where she’s working on a piece for Ridley Scott’s Black Dog Films. “I’m determined to change the demographic of the DGA — the f—ers. All old white men,” she says with a shake of her head.

If you can’t tell by now, McGowan isn’t afraid to let loose on the current battle of the sexes in Hollywood. “It’s all frat guys; they condone sexism. The execs and the agents. They are people who went to law school and it wasn’t sexy enough so they wanted to come have sex with actresses. It’s not like they want to be a part of great film making or anything.”

Considering McGowan’s current stance on the other sex, it’s surprising to learn she has a boyfriend, the performance artist and DJ, Davey Detail (“I’m not a dater,” she says, seriously. “I’m a serial monogamist.”).

But just because she’s in love doesn’t mean she’s going to do what he likes. She points to her hair: “He likes long, dark hair. So I’m like: ‘Suck it!.’”

Source: Metro.us