EXCLUSIVE: Award-winning documentary filmmaker Lysa Heslov (Served as a servant) has signed on with Gersh and also announces that she will soon make her directorial debut as a narrative feature based on Reinhard Denke’s 2009 screenplay Black List. Sex, greed, money, murder and fried chicken steak.
The film is based on a true crime story that has been described as the most infamous and shocking story ever to appear in the state of Texas. It follows an idealistic young prosecutor who must contend with wealth, corruption and the “good old boy” culture of the 1970s as he seeks to bring oil magnate and accused murderer T. Cullen Davis to justice. At the time, Davis was considered the richest man ever charged with murder in the United States.
It will also be the first film from Dallas, Texas-based financier Amicus Pictures — a grassroots investment firm that sees an opportunity in the global market for high-quality films designed to appeal to moviegoers around the world. The company plans to produce and fully finance 2-3 feature films per year with a budget of less than $15 million.
Marilee Albert, Joseph Groves and Marla Watson produced the photo for Amicus. Andrew Chooljian will executive produce alongside The Cartel’s Corey Trent Ackerman, and production will begin this summer in Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas.
“I had been looking for a feature film project to direct for a while and after 10 pages I knew this was it,” Heslov tells Deadline. “I was blown away by the fantastic script and story. This is the most incredible true story that no one knows. I can’t wait to share it with the world.”
Heslov is best known for writing, directing and producing the critically acclaimed documentary Served as a servantwhich follows a group of American women in their transition from active duty to civilian life after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, premiered at the 2017 South by Southwest Film Festival.
Also from Heslov speedboat — a new documentary about the pitfalls of cancellation culture in today’s society, which has just ceased production.
Heslov will continue to be represented by Grade A Entertainment and attorney Robert Fyvolent. Denke is represented by Ackerman of The Cartel; Amicus by Brandon Milostan of Greenberg Glusker.
Writer: Matt Grobar
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
