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Clemency
19 minutes | Teen | 2010 | 
United States of America
A sadistic killer takes a reporter on an emotional thrill ride.
SynopsisArthur Poe (Cris D’Annunzio) is a sadistic killer who likes to torture his victims. In 1993 he was captured and subsequently convicted by the state of Virginia for several gruesome murders. Poe received a sentence of death. Years later and days before his execution, the newly elected governor granted Poe clemency based on the testimony of a forensic psychologist at Poe’s murder trial. The testimony convinced the governor that Poe deserved psychiatric care rather than death. Many are outraged by the governor’s act of leniency. A reporter (Maury Morgan) confronts Poe in an interview seeking to shed light on the emotionally charged topic. What she learns can never be forgotten.
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Directed by
Joseph Albanese -
Written by
Charlie Frazier
Joseph Albanese
Chris Frazier -
Produced by
Doug Thagard - Clemency Website
Written by: Charlie Frazier
Joseph Albanese
Chris Frazier
Produced by: Doug Thagard
Cast
Station Attendant: Mark IrvingsenTyrone: Anthony Ray Parker
The Warden: Gerald Brodin
Arthur Poe: Cris D' Annunzio
Sarah Norton: Maury Morgan
Young Sarah: Zarah Mahler
Melody Norton: Brittany Shaw
Janet: Judy Fisher
Crew
Editor: Dennis AlanizMusic: Kevin Riepl
Cinematographer: Tyler Brazil
Sound Design: Rosemary H. Marez
Gaffer: John Woodside
"Clemency" Review by Sharon Foss When a movie begins with girls running and screaming through the woods, I’m happy. It grabs my attention and keeps me watching. Usually the beginning of a movie is my time to multitask—check my e-mail if I’m watching on the computer, put things away while watching on the TV—because so little happens that I find it unnecessary to give it my full attention. But the opening of Clemency definitely caught my attention and had me waiting for the next scene. The murders that surround the premise of Clemency occurred on the Blue Ridge Mountains. Arthur Poe was convicted of murdering a group of people and sentenced to death. However, the state’s governor stepped in and granted Poe clemency, and he was sentenced to stay at an institution for the criminally insane. Our first view of Poe occurs when reporter Sarah Norton (Maury Morgan, Masterpieces) appears at the institution to interview him for her local newspaper. While she is warned by the warden that this man is beyond dangerous, Norton takes on the task. She manages to get this villain to talk, which is more than the staff is able to do, and she quickly learns that Poe is the devil in disguise. But it turns out that Norton has a lot more at stake in this interview than a subjective piece about a man who was granted clemency. Is she even a reporter…or someone seeking vengeance? The only thing amiss about Clemency is the fact that it is only 18 minutes long. I wanted more. Charlie and Chris Frazier, along with writer/director Joseph Albanese, told a tale of such intensity that the ending left me wanting a full-length feature about Poe. I want to know why Poe committed the murders. Why did he kill? How did he get caught? I want more Poe! I want more Poe because Cris D’Annunzio (Chasing 3000, American Gangster) delivers Poe on a delicious cake plate of creepiness with a side of sociopath. While Poe may be a character who carried the devil inside, he certainly was not written with an understanding of human nature. Sisterhood is a powerful bond and Clemency will show you just how strong the ties that bind can be. Best line of movie: “You’re only a victim after choosing to let yourself become one.”
"Clemency" Review by Brian Collins This one felt like a possibly compressed full length film, but the quick pacing pays off - the movie hardly lets you breathe despite a fairly twisty plot (for a short film). It starts off with a terrific slasher sequence, then barrels through the killer’s trial, and ends in a confrontation between the killer and a reporter attempting to get him to talk. Great visuals, above-average use of flashbacks, and a touching backstory combine into one of the more cinematic (this is definitely one of the ones that made me feel like I was watching a feature film) entries thus far. And I say all of this without knowing what "clemency" means! (I looked it up later.)
Clemency and Justice: A Movie Review Author/Michael Allen "Clemency" is an eighteen minute short from first time director Joseph Albanese, which was completed in October, 2009. The film was shot primarily with an Arriflex BL4 35 MM camera and the colourful visuals are heightened by a thrilling tale of a serial killer, legal loopholes, and vengeance. The movie review site Horror Society describes the psychotic Poe as "a delicious cake plate of creepiness with a side of sociopath," (Horror) and Poe's ability to "play" with the character Sarah is what makes this film so enjoyable (Clemency). The mystery and tension are built early with Sarah and sister Melody attempting to escape a nighttime pursuit from Poe, but events do not end well for Melody nor an innocent bystander. Clemency flash forwards several years and surviving sister Sarah gets a chance to question Poe's motives. Poe has escape the death sentence with a plea of insanity and the now the institutionalized Poe has something else in store for the vengeful Sarah. The dialogue, transitions, directing techniques and imagery is visually excellent with the sound in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound matching the picture in quality and performance. Lines like "you are only a victim after choosing to become one," when spoken by a stoic Poe are chilling, with Sarah (Maury Morgan) showing believable trepidation in the presence of this double-murderer (Clemency). Director Albanese uses blood to reflect Poe's (Chris D'Annunzio) misdeeds in a creative flair for the unsettling and the use of screams to transition from one scene to the next is effective in setting an uncomfortable tone. Only one continuity error involving a disappearing necklace slows the pacing down, with some early nighttime shots overly dark. Overall, this is a suspenseful and thrilling eighteen minutes that packs a lot of punch early, in the middle, during the climax and even in to the finish! The slaughter does not end there as Clemency has recently had stops at the Deadcenter and Soutside Film Festivals with upcoming showings possible. Horror fans are highly encouraged to see this visceral and entertaining cinema when and where ever Clemency is available. The film is simply outstanding.
"Clemency" Reviewed by ToothlessFX In 1993, a sadistic Killer, Arthur Poe was captured and convicted. He was sentenced to death by the state of Virginia for several gruesome murders. Days before his execution the governor granted Poe clemency. An investigative reporter comes to confront Poe to shed some insight into the mind of this killer. Will she find what she is looking for? Will she be ready to discover what may happen? Well you will have to check it out to find out. We aren’t going to ruin the film… Technical aspects: The character development of Mr. “Arty” Poe was a stellar performance. The interview reminded us of the film The Silence of the Lambs. The story was well driven and flowed well throughout the short film. The sets are also well designed with the lighting creating the mood that was needed. Our favorite set was that of the gas station. The eerie, creepy old gas stations always get us late at night when we are traveling. The wounds on the girls that were bound together in the beginning really made us flinch. When you watch the film you will see why. There is just something about barbwire that no one likes. Final verdict: This 18 min. short film was a great fresh view, opening with hostility at the very beginning. The high tension that was created in this film set the mood for the rest of the film. All of this happened within the first two minutes. This set the mood and the back story which is definitely important for a film. After that the film calmed down and the writer finished it off with a good twist at the end. If this is at a film festival it is worth watching or even owning. We watched it multiple times already and have enjoyed this film.
Atlanta Horror Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Atlantic City Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Bare Bones Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (Big Bear Lake, U.S.A.) -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Beloit International Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Big Bear Lake Horror Film Festival -- Official Selection (Won)
Canada International Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Cannes Film Festival - Short Film Corner -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Carolina Film & Video Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Chicago Horror Film Festival -- Best Short (Won)
CineMAiubit - International Student Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Cleveland Indie Gathering -- Best Short (Won)
Dam Short Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Del Ray Beach Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Eerie Horror Film Festival -- Best Actor (Nominated)
Eugene International Film Festival -- Best Horror Short (Won)
Fargo Film Festival -- Best Horror Short (Won)
FirstGlance Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Flagstaff Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Flatland Film Fest -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Freak Show Horror Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Garden State Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
HollyShorts Short Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Hollywood International Student Film Festival -- Best Horror Short (Won)
Honolulu International Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Kent International Film Festival (Kent, Connecticut) -- Best Short (Won)
Lake Arrowhead Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Maelstrom International Fantantastic Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Method Fest -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Naperville Independent Film Festival -- Best Actor (Won)
New Filmmaker’s Film LA -- Official Selection (Nominated)
New Orleans Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
New York International Independent Film & Video Festival -- Best Horror Short (Won)
Oklahoma Horror Film Festival -- Best Actress (Nominated)
Orlando Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Other Venice Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Park City Film Music Festival -- Grand Jury Award (Won)
Rainier Independent Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Riverside International Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Route 66 Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Sacramento Film & Music Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Santa Cruz Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Screamfest LA Horror Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Shnit Film Festival, Switzerland -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Show Biz Expo Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Silk City Flick Festival -- Best Horror Short (Nominated)
Sitges Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
SoCal Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
SouthSide Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Starz Denver Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Tupelo Film Festival -- Best Student Film (Won)
Williamsburg Brooklyn Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Long Island International Film Expo -- Best Director (Won)
Landlocked Film Festival -- Best Short (Won)
Louisville Film & Video Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
Ohio Independent Film Festival -- Official Selection (Nominated)
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Director
Joseph Albanese
