LOGLINE

A short film adaptation of the Poe classic with tangibly detailed period design
and hauntingly lifelike puppetry.

SYNOPSIS

“I became insane with long intervals of horrible sanity.” - Edgar Allan Poe

Only one Servant remains in the ruins of an old house. He is valet, butler, footman, cook and sick-nurse. The master of the house is a cadaverous invalid whose every function is aided by the earnest, young manservant. He meticulously repeats his duties within the silence of the moldering chambers - his only company is the vacant stare of the Old Man's blind eye. Time rots away. Tormented by constant silence and the banality of his duties, the Servant’s fears gradually turn to violent obsession.

With tangibly detailed period design and hauntingly lifelike puppetry, THE TELL-TALE HEART unearths the decaying dreamworld of Poe. Director/ designer Robert Eggers centers the classic tale on the unnerving relationship between Servant and Master. With lyrical movement and a striking performance by Carrington Vilmont, the film quickly lures its viewer into its claustrophobic confines.

SELECT FESTIVALS AND AWARDS

• World Premiere, 2008 Mar Del Plata International Film Festival, Argentina

DIRECTOR'S BIOGRAPHY

"Robert Eggers is a young artist with his own unique vision of the world. A multi-tasking actor, writer, designer, director and a man totally dedicated to the pursuit of his art.” -
- Bob Crowley, 5-time Tony Award winning designer & director

Robert Eggers is the artistic director of Palehorse Productions. He directed and designed the company's New York debut, OTHELLO, winning an Innovative Theatre Award for his costumes. Also with Palehorse, Eggers adapted, directed, and designed an expressionist silent short film of HANSEL & GRETEL and a commedia dell'arte circus adaptation of FAUST. Eggers has designed sets and costumes for film, television, theatre and ballet, working for SESAME STREET, Comedy Central, La MaMa E.T.C., Lincoln Center and others. Most recently, he was the production and creature designer for Victor Varnado's ROBOTO SUPREMO with Michel Gondry.

From 2001-03 Eggers worked extensively at the Edwin Booth Theatre in New Hampshire as a director, designer and actor. Directorial work at the Booth includes: ROMEO & JULIET, HAMLET and an original stage adaptation of F.W. Murnau's NOSFERATU. www.RobertEggers.com

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SHOWTIMES

PLAYS IN THE DISCOVERY SHORT FILMS PROGRAMME #3 (VIEW DETAILS)

SAT. 5/16 at 4:00PM
Stockton Empire Theatre

THUR. 5/21 at 6:00PM
Matinée Movie Lounge

CAST AND CREW

Inspired by the work of: E. A. Poe
Adapted by: Robert Eggers
Producer: Michael Neal, Maura Anderson
Cinematographer: Jarin Blaschke
Editor: Louise Aldersay
Music: Tomas Ulrich
Sound Design: Damian Volpe, Matt Rocker
Puppet Creation: Chelsea Carter
Costume and Production Design: Robert Eggers
Principal Cast: Carrington Vilmont, Dan Charlton, Dan Murphy, Nathan Allison, Anita Rundles, Richard Easton

SOURCES

Print Source: Palehorse Productions
801 Driggs Avenue
3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11211 •
USA
www.palehorseproductions.com info@palehorseproductions.com
(718) 388-8068