MDFF 2021 - Old-Growth Murder
A two-part documentary exploring the unsolved murder of French bicyclist Alain Malessard who was discovered dead in an Oregon Coast campground on Thanksgiving 1987.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Tom Olsen, Jr.
Watch Old-Growth Murder on iTunes, Prime Video and Vudu
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I became intrigued with how a murder stays a cold-case for 35+ years when everyone felt they knew who committed the crime.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Although the investigation remains officially open, the film's audience will surely wonder why with today’s advanced forensics, digital investigative tools, DNA testing, and almost monthly headlines of decades-old unsolved homicide cases being closed, this murder is still unsolved in 2021, and in fact, is of total indifference to law enforcement authorities.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
A personal theme in the film is that it seeks to speak for the victim who cannot speak for himself.
A universal theme in the film is humanity: the pursuit of justice and holding those who commit evil accountable.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
With this documentary, no script existed. However, the film evolved in development when the Oregon State Police released the public records of the murder (2017). Between 2015-2017, I was using only personal accounts/memories. After 2017, I was able to use the records to shoot additional interviews, and include never before seen public records and crime scene photos.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I have show rough-cuts and final-cuts to my collaborators, industry professionals, family and friends. The feedback has been very positive and strong.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No feedback has challenged my POV. Although, after nearly 20 years of making documentaries, I'm still surprised with how one's project can be so drastically interpreted from person to person.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'm hoping to gain traction to find additional outlets to show this documentary in, and hope draw attention to bringing some form of justice to this horrible crime.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I'm most interested in sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, in helping me navigate how to release a two-part documentary that is (in total) 160 minutes.
I'd also like journalists to help spread the word on the project.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Ultimately, this project is for Alain Malessard. A young man, living a dream, and brutaaly killed in an Oregon forest with no one EVER being held accountable.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why does a murder become and stay a cold-case.
Would you like to add anything else?
This is a film with a broad universal appeal. Footage was filmed throughout the United States, Canada, and France.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Tom Olsen, Jr., is currently in pre-production on a 1980s Portland, Oregon murder case.
Interview: July 2021
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Old-Growth Murder
Writer/Director/Producer
TOM OLSEN is a graduate of Chapman University's MFA program in Film & TV Producing. He is an award-winning documentary filmmaker for both short and long-form projects. Previous projects have included POLITICS OF SAND, THE CRIME OF THE d'AUTREMONT BROTHERS, and KILLINGSWORTH. He is a full-time Professor in the Digital Media Arts Program at Clark College (Vancouver, Washington).
Looking for:
sales agents, distributors, journalists, film festival directors, buyers
Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/AnchorPicturesDocumentary
https://www.instagram.com/old_growth_murder/
Key crew:
Tom Olsen, Jr. (Producer), Kevin Forrest (Cinematographer), Sam Mowry (Narrator)
More info:
https://www.anchorpictures.com/