The Devil's Cinema Explained
| The Devil's Cinema |
| Author: | Steve Lillebuen |
| Country: | Canada |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | True crime |
| Publisher: | McClelland & Stewart |
| Release Date: | March 2012 |
| Media Type: | Print (hardcover and eBook) |
| Pages: | 352 |
| Isbn: | 978-0771050336 |
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]
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 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. 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.
External links
Notes and References
- News: Cummins. Julianna. Correspondence with killer informs book on Twitchell case. 31 March 2012. Edmonton Journal. 26 March 2012.
- News: Book out on Twitchell murder case. 31 March 2012. iNews 880. 27 March 2012.
- News: MacKenzie. Alan. When a twisted life imitates twisted art. 1 April 2012. Winnipeg Free Press. 31 March 2012.
- News: A Script For Murder. 31 March 2012. Maclean's. 26 March 2012.
- News: Boer. Peter. Murderer's mindset a mystery to crime author. 31 March 2012. St. Albert Gazette. 31 March 2012.
- News: Tale of bizarre killer has come to bookstore shelves across country. 31 March 2012. Canada.com. 28 March 2012.
- News: Book about ‘Dexter killer’ among winners of Arthur Ellis Awards. Jonathan. Forani. National Post. 31 May 2013. 2 June 2013.
- News: Gelinas. Ben. A star only in his own warped mind. 8 January 2012. The Edmonton Journal. 2011-04-16.
- News: Trial of murder that mimics movie. 8 January 2012. The Guardian. 19 March 2011.
- News: Bennett. Dean. Edmonton filmmaker heads to court in script-written murder case. 8 January 2012. The Globe and Mail. 2 November 2008.
- News: McLean. Tanara. Canada-wide blackout of 20/20 program on Twitchell case. 8 January 2012. The Edmonton Sun. 19 March 2011.
- News: Morrison. Keith. Deadly House of Cards. https://web.archive.org/web/20110917124159/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032600/vp/44557423#44557423. dead. 17 September 2011. 8 January 2012. Dateline NBC. 30 September 2011.
- Web site: Murder, He Wrote. the fifth estate. 8 January 2012.
- News: Accused murderer acted out film plot. 8 January 2012. The Age. 19 March 2011.
- News: The Devil's Cinema: True Account of Mark Twitchell. 31 March 2012. Alberta Primetime. 27 March 2012.
- News: Puzic. Sonja. Book offers new insight into Edmonton filmmaker killer. 1 April 2012. CTV.ca. 31 March 2012.
- News: Wiseman . Andreas . 'Face/Off' & 'Hacksaw Ridge' Producer David Permut Lines Up True Crime Movie About "Dexter Killer" Mark Twitchell; Sam Hobkinson To Write & Direct . 23 August 2022 . Deadline . 12 April 2022.
