I hope plans are already in the works to bring this film (partly shot in Jacksonville) here and more specifically to the 5 Points Theater.
http://www.news4jax.com/news/24731645/detail.html (http://www.news4jax.com/news/24731645/detail.html)
QuoteGainesville Ripper' Premieres Sunday
Film Based On Serial Killer Danny Rolling Terrorizing City In 1990
POSTED: Monday, August 23, 2010
UPDATED: 6:45 pm EDT August 23, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- A feature horror film based on the true story of serial killer Danny Rolling, who terrorized Gainesville in 1990, will premiere at Gator Cinemas in Gainesville on Sunday night.
The story begins with Rolling’s release from prison in 1989 and ends with the murder of his last victim. In a year’s time, Rolling killed eight people in two states and shot and severely wounded his father, a move that prompted him to flee his hometown of Shreveport, La.
Rolling ended up in Gainesville in August 1990, murdering and mutilating five University of Florida students and effectively terrorizing the entire city.
Spencer Mann, who acted as one of the chief investigators in the Gainesville murders, said he remembers the fright and panic instilled in the quiet community two decades ago.
Video: Movie Profiles Serial Killer
"I've been to a lot of murders over the past 30 years. I can never recall anything remotely close to the homicides," Mann said. "It was a very difficult time. This community became gripped in fear."
Four years were spent working on "The Gainesville Ripper," an independent production that was budgeted at under $200,000. The film, which was shot in Gainesville and Jacksonville, could bring Gainesville its first ever feature-film world premiere.
Gainesville TV personality Zachary Memos was cast as Rolling, who was put to death in 2006. Memos said as terrible as the crimes were, the story needs to be told.
"The murders themselves, they are components of this story, but this is a psychological profile of Danny Rolling," Memos said. "We're not sensationalizing the murders because I am sensitive to the environment. I am sensitive to the community."
"The Gainesville Ripper is a horror film that doesn't hesitate showing the violence Rolling inflicted not only on his victims, but the town as a whole," writer and director Josh Townsend said.
Some say the film is too sensitive a subject for the victims' families and a community still trying to get over the tragedy 20 years later. Mann is a critic.
"I find it repugnant myself, repulsive, exploitive in nature," he said. "It's certainly something I won't go see."
Memos said he feels for the victims and their families and hopes people who may still be affected aren't the ones watching this film.
"I hope that if they are very sensitive, they would just stray away," he said.