The_Devil's_Cinema

<i>The Devil's Cinema</i>

The Devil's Cinema

Non-fiction book by Steve Lillebuen

The Devil's Cinema: The Untold Story Behind Mark Twitchell's Kill Room is a true crime book by journalist and author Steve Lillebuen.[1][2][3] The book is a work of narrative nonfiction.[4][5][6] In May 2013, the book won Best Non-Fiction at the Arthur Ellis Awards.[7]

Quick Facts Author, Country ...

Overview

The book is set in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and follows several detectives working on a missing persons case and the intersecting lives of Johnny Altinger and aspiring filmmaker Mark Twitchell.r[8] who is under investigation for luring strangers to his "kill room,"[9] which police believe is designed to replicate elements and methods used by fictional serial killer Dexter Morgan.[10]

Background

Twitchell's arrest and trial attracted substantial media attention since his crimes were inspired by Dexter, the television series. ABC's 20/20,[11] Dateline NBC,[12] CBC's The Fifth Estate,[13] and many newspapers around the world covered the story, from England's The Guardian[9] to Australia's The Age.[14]

Steve Lillebuen had been an Edmonton Journal crime reporter when Twitchell was arrested, leading to a three-year project on writing and researching the book.[1] He also spent a year corresponding with Twitchell after he called the author from prison to volunteer for an interview.[15][16]

Notable people

  • Mark Twitchell: a young businessman and filmmaker who aspires to be the next George Lucas.
  • Johnny Altinger: a pipeline worker who loves computers and motorcycles.
  • Gilles Tetreault: a new arrival to the city of Edmonton.
  • Mark Anstey: the primary investigator in charge of solving the Altinger disappearance.
  • Bill Clark: a detective tasked with interrogating major suspects.

Film adaptation

A film adaptation of the book was acquired by David Permut with Sam Hobkinson (Misha and the Wolves) set to direct.[17]

See also

  • The One Who Got Away, a personal account from the original intended target of convicted murderer Mark Twitchell, was written by Gilles Tetreault and published in October 2015.

References

  1. [1]
    Cummins, Julianna (26 March 2012). "Correspondence with killer informs book on Twitchell case". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  2. [2]
    "Book out on Twitchell murder case". iNews 880. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  3. [3]
    MacKenzie, Alan (31 March 2012). "When a twisted life imitates twisted art". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  4. [4]
    "A Script For Murder". Maclean's. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  5. [5]
    Boer, Peter (31 March 2012). "Murderer's mindset a mystery to crime author". St. Albert Gazette. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  6. [6]
    "Tale of bizarre killer has come to bookstore shelves across country". Canada.com. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  7. [7]
    Forani, Jonathan (31 May 2013). "Book about 'Dexter killer' among winners of Arthur Ellis Awards". National Post. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
  8. [8]
    Gelinas, Ben (2011-04-16). "A star only in his own warped mind". The Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  9. [9]
    "Trial of murder that mimics movie". The Guardian. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  10. [10]
    Bennett, Dean (2 November 2008). "Edmonton filmmaker heads to court in script-written murder case". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  11. [11]
    McLean, Tanara (19 March 2011). "Canada-wide blackout of 20/20 program on Twitchell case". The Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  12. [12]
    Morrison, Keith (30 September 2011). "Deadly House of Cards". Dateline NBC. Archived from the original on 17 September 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  13. [13]
    "Murder, He Wrote". the fifth estate. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  14. [14]
    "Accused murderer acted out film plot". The Age. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  15. [15]
    "The Devil's Cinema: True Account of Mark Twitchell". Alberta Primetime. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  16. [16]
    Puzic, Sonja (31 March 2012). "Book offers new insight into Edmonton filmmaker killer". CTV.ca. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  17. [17]
    Wiseman, Andreas (12 April 2022). "'Face/Off' & 'Hacksaw Ridge' Producer David Permut Lines Up True Crime Movie About "Dexter Killer" Mark Twitchell; Sam Hobkinson To Write & Direct". Deadline. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
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