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Desecration (film)

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Desecration
Theatrical film poster
Directed byDante Tomaselli
Written byDante Tomaselli
Produced by
  • Tony Rullis
  • Jack Swain
  • Dante Tomaselli
Starring
  • Irma St. Paule
  • Christie Sanford
  • Danny Lopes
  • Salvatore Paul Piro
CinematographyBrendan Flynt
Edited byMarcus Bonilla
Music by
  • Dante Tomaselli
  • Michael Tomaselli
Release date
  • 1999 (1999)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$150,000[citation needed]

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

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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

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  • 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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Irma St. Paule, Stage Veteran, Is Dead". Playbill. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  2. ^ "The Arrow interviews...Dante Tomaselli and Felissa Rose!". JoBlo.com. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  3. ^ Edwards, Matthew (2007). Film out of bounds: essays and interviews on non-mainstream cinema worldwide. McFarland. pp. 112–118, 121, 124. ISBN 978-0786429707.
  4. ^ Bertrand, Merle. "Desecration (review)". Film Threat. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  5. ^ "DESECRATION (review)". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  6. ^ Rubin, Lawrence C (2006). Psychotropic Drugs and Popular Culture. McFarland. p. 52. ISBN 078642513X.
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