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 byMichael Brueggemeyer
Written byMarianne Bates
Produced byTony Mingee
Starring
CinematographyBill Bork
Edited byMichael Towe
Production
companies
  • Amalgamated Grommets
  • Eyefull Studios
Release date
Running time
10 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

edit

Veronica 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

Production

edit

Principal 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

edit

The 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

edit

Of 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]

Accolades
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
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b Vara, Juliette (2011-04-17). "BRIEF: Local film crew heads to Cannes". KSWB-TV. ProQuest 862220576 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Hocking, Chris (2010). "LateNite Legacy". Late Night Films. Archived from the original on 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2023-12-19.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "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.
edit