Three years after releasing his first film, the vampire thriller "Nightfall," Salt Lake writer/
director Kevin De Lullo finally has a version of it he can be proud of.De Lullo filmed one new scene for the movie and has re-edited it, coming up with a "director's cut" that he is currently shopping around for distribution. (The new version of "Nightfall" is being shown this weekend at the Tower Theatre, 876 E. 900 South.)
"At the time we made it, we were just glad we had gotten it done. But there was always stuff we wanted to fix," De Lullo said.
Revisions included cutting some bits of dialogue that he and co-scripter Clyde Lewis thought were "too cheesy." Both men say the movie is now "even darker."
Among the movie companies that are interested in the low-budget film (it was made in three weeks for less than $150,000) is Troma Films, known for Z-grade schlock horror films like "The Toxic Avenger," "Tromeo & Juliet" and "Class of Nuke 'Em High." But Troma owner Lloyd Kaufman is looking to branch out with some slightly more serious, independently made features.
"Lloyd said he's interested, so that gave us even more of a reason to get the new version done," De Lullo said.
- "NIGHTFALL" is much more graphic than "She Lives By Night," a 1997 thriller that was also filmed locally.
Though its tone is not as flip (at least not consciously) as other Troma films, it does contain the mixture of blood and breasts that Troma's other movies are famous for. (The film is not rated but would get at least an R for violent attacks and gory special effects, as well as full female nudity.)
"Nightfall" follows a Salt Lake detective (Jeff Rector) who investigates a series of local murders that may have been performed by a vampire - and which include the killing of his own partner.
The movie makes extensive use of identifiable Utah landmarks and personalities including the Saltair resort and veteran news anchor Phil Riesen. And both De Lullo and Lewis have small bit roles (as a newspaper carrier and a vampiric victim, respectively).
"Nightfall" will show at 9:30 p.m. and midnight on Friday and Saturday. For more information, call the theater at 297-4040.