Almost three years after casting began for “La Madame,” the short film steeped in intrigue and vampires will have its public premiere. Carlos Rosales and CS Digital Productions LLC have announced that the 42-minute love/horror story will debut in screenings Oct. 1 and 2 at Tampico Bay restaurant in Columbus, beginning at 6 p.m.
The story opens in 1876 in Transylvania, where two sisters — Draguta and Dumitra — live in a secluded castle. It is a place of secrets, where the family has survived for centuries as descendants of vampires. One of the sisters gives birth to a baby girl, Antanasia, but when a string of mysterious murders terrorizes the village, its inhabitants fear the sisters are a threat and arm themselves to drive them out.
The unfolding tale follows what is left of the family to the American South, to the 1900s. Antanasia is a grown woman, but a string of deaths in the new town she lives in signals a deep unrest.
Setting the scene
To tell his story, director Rosales enlisted several first-time actors and used locations in Columbus and in Florence, Alabama.
“‘La Madame’ was filmed 90 percent in Columbus,” he said. His sons, Roberto Rosales and Christopher Rosales, were integral to the finished product as well. Christopher acted as screenwriter; Roberto filmed and edited.
One of the challenges was to create a Romanian setting for a segment of the film. Restless villagers were needed, too. For these, the director went to Florence, with its rolling terrain. The city is also the base of Zholdak Kozaky, a living history re-enactment group. With fiery torches and pitchforks, they helped create scenes shot around Wildwood Park in Florence.
Multiple locations in Columbus were used, including historic homes such as The Painted Lady, Waverley Mansion, Amzi Love and Errolton. The small crew also shot at the Riverwalk bridge, Tampico Bay and the campus of Mississippi University for Women.
Trish Shepherd of Columbus portrays Madame Dumitra.
“I never watched a vampire film or have been a vampire fan, but once I got into the character, I really did love the part,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd and other actors have not seen the final film yet and are eager for the premiere.
“Except for scenes we were in ourselves, even with us, we don’t know what all the other characters do, so this is going to be fun for everybody,”
Also central to the story is the character of Nana, played by Towanda Williams.
“Nana is the trustee of all the secrets of the family; she knows all the background,” said Williams, adding that she is excited about the premiere.
“I’m very proud for Carlos and his sons; they’ve worked really hard,” she remarked. “I think it’s really grand that they’ve included so many important aspects of Columbus to share and show people. We have a lot to offer, and it’s reflected in the movie.”
Rosales plans to submit “La Madame” to multiple film festivals, including Sundance.
“We are so grateful for the great support many people gave us to make this,” he said. “We feel proud of what we did with what we had. Everybody joined the dream.”
How to go
Film screenings are scheduled for 6 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 10 p.m. Oct. 1-2 at Tampico Bay located at 1515 College St., Columbus. Admission is $10, $6 for students with ID. Film copies, T-shirts and posters will be available for purchase.
Screenings are also planned Oct. 27 at The Ritz in West Point beginning at 6 p.m.
Follow “La Madame” at facebook.com/lamadamemovie/.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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