Edgar Allen Poe gets new twist, female perspective

Sept. 1, 2010 - PRLog -- (Albany, N.Y.) – In celebration of author Edgar Allen Poe, filmmaking, and upstate New York, regional filmmakers have teamed up to take a very bold step – retelling one of Edgar Allen Poe’s best-known tales in a new and female-centered way.

Executive producer Matthew Mann, writer, producer and director Heidi “Eli” Philipsen-Meissner, and associate producer Richard Lundy, have joined forces to rethink Poe’s gothic tale, “Telltale Heart,” in a short film called “Her Telling Heart.” The new story offers both a different twist and a female lead character.

“We’re very excited to shoot ‘Her Telling Heart’ in upstate New York with a cast and crew primarily made up of local talent and professionals,” says Eli Meissner, a writer, producer and director of the film. “The crazy thing is that we all met on set for the shooting of ‘The Other Guys’ when that film was shot in Albany, became immediate friends, and just decided ‘let’s do this – let’s make our own film!’”

One year later, Matthew Mann, Eli Meissner, Rich Lundy and Michael M sat in an office, donated by Mann’s law firm, discussing the details of the production. Mann, a Latham-based attorney, Meissner, an actor/writer/producer/director from Michigan who moved to Schenectady just three years ago, and Lundy, an actor/producer from Loudenville, call it a “labor of love among friends.”

“It’s really incredible being part of this project,” says Matthew Mann. “Filmmaking is alive and well in upstate New York, and this is a particularly fun opportunity to revisit and rethink a truly classic tale. I think audiences will really like the result.”

“Her Telling Heart” takes place on a doctor’s farm in the mid-1800’s and tells the tale of Angeline, a young woman who’s fighting a dark secret from her past. A thriller tale with a feminist and socially conscious twist, people will be shocked by the twist and the story’s twisted psychological roots.

“I wanted to make a period piece, a high-suspense thriller, and a drama – Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘Telltale Heart’ definitely fit all three criteria,” reflects Eli Meissner. “But, being a woman, I felt that it would be really interesting to take a look at this literary legend from a woman’s perspective. I asked myself: ‘How or why would a woman react to such an evil eye in this story?’ ‘Her Telling Heart’ is the result.”

The film’s director of photography, Patrick Elliot, and director, Heidi “Eli” Philipsen-Meissner, have both previously won awards. The new film features a layered narrative and is being produced by Personae Entertainment, Ltd., under fiscal sponsorship by New York Women in Film & Television. The film will go into production next month and will be distributed to various festivals shortly thereafter. All wishing to remain updated on the project are encouraged to sign up for updates for Her Telling Heart on Facebook or contact the creators via  www.hertellingheart.com

For more information contact:
Eli Meissner
734-255-7998
info@hertellingheart.com
www.hertellingheart.com

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