Desecration (film)
| Desecration | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Dante Tomaselli |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | Dante Tomaselli |
| Starring |
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| Music by |
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| Cinematography | Brendan Flynt |
| Edited by | Marcus Bonilla |
Release dates |
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Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $150,000 |
Desecration is a 1999 American horror film written and directed by Dante Tomaselli. The film stars Irma St. Paule and Christie Sanford, who would both return in several of Tomaselli's later films.[1] The film originally started off as a short film that Tomaselli created in 1994 and is his feature film directorial debut.[2]
Tomaselli drew inspiration for the film from his childhood and also heavily utilized dream sequences to impart the film's story.[3]
Plot
A 16-year-old teen named Bobby is emotionally damaged by the early death of his mother. After accidentally causing a nun's death, he unleashes a chain of supernatural events that lead him into the pits of Hell.
Cast
- Irma St. Paule as Grandma Matilda
- Christie Sanford as Sister Madeline / Mary Rullo
- Danny Lopes as Bobby Rullo
- Salvatore Paul Piro as Mr. Rullo
- Vincent Lamberti as Brother Nicolas
- Maureen Tomaselli as Sister Rosemary
- Gene Burke as Father O'Leary
- Ruth Ray as Reverend Mother
- Helen Palladino as Mrs. Cannizzaro
Reception
Merle Bertrant of Film Threat panned the film and gave it one and a half stars, stating, "All moody funky art-crap visuals and no cohesive narrative to speak of, the only thing desecrated in Desecration is the rapidly fading art of storytelling."[4] In contrast, Sean McGinnis of DVD Verdict called it a cult film that it would "engender strong feelings one way or the other". McGinnis said that he "found the film entertaining and creepy in a palpable way."[5]
Short film
Tomaselli created the initial short that inspired the full-length film in 1994. The film was experimental and explored themes such as drug usage within the clergy and Catholicism in specific.[6]
References
- ↑ Simonson, Robert. "Irma St. Paule, Stage Veteran, Is Dead". Playbill. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ↑ "The Arrow interviews...Dante Tomaselli and Felissa Rose!". JoBlo.com. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ↑ Edwards, Matthew (2007). Film out of bounds: essays and interviews on non-mainstream cinema worldwide. McFarland. pp. 112–118, 121, 124. ISBN 0786429704.
- ↑ Bertrand, Merle. "Desecration (review)". Film Threat. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ↑ "DESECRATION (review)". DVD Verdict. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
- ↑ Rubin, Lawrence C (2006). Psychotropic Drugs and Popular Culture. McFarland. p. 52. ISBN 078642513X.