Belle Gunness Features on the Horizon The Norwegian mass killer Belle Gunness shocked the United States 101 years ago. Now she goes to the movies in two competing projects, one with origins in Hollywood, and the other with the Norwegian filmmaker Linda Saetre. by JAN GUNNAR FURULY One of the greatest mass murderers in the United States was the Norwegian Belle Gunness from Selbu. Most of her victims, she recruited through contact ads in Scandinavian-American newspapers, where she was searched by men for marriage. "Our love is so great that no one will understand it. Do not tell anyone that you come! ". It sounded in several of the letters she sent her suitors. She asked them to sell everything they owned, and take the money with them for the new life they were to shape in La Porte, Indiana. No one knows exactly how many people Belle Gunness killed, but it is estimated over 40. Among them, two husbands, a group of men and her own children. The first film in 1908. Already in 1908 a silent film was made about the remarkable Norwegian woman, and the fall of 2006 saw the TV2 documentary "Only Belle - a serial killer from Selbu" by Anne Berit Vestby. Now it’s time for "Lady Bluebeard", as she was called in the American press, to make her breakthrough on the big screen. First in line is the American producer, director and screenwriter Edward Bass. He says to Aftenposten that he is now negotiating with some of the leading actors for lead roles in the film “Belle.” According to Bass he can start filming in January. If everything goes according to plan, the film will premiere at the cinema in the United States in 2011. Jolie potential. Angelina Jolie is the first choice amongst Belle fans. She would be fantastic in the role of Belle Gunness. I can also see Kate Winslet. Belle was an unusually strong and fascinating woman, with many faces. This is no easy role to play, remember that she also killed her own children. We need an actress with tremendous depth and versatility to fill this role.” Golden Globe-nominated Bass was the producer on the 2006 film “Bobby” - Emilio Estevez’s directorial debut- for which Bass was able to assemble a fantastic cast, including Anthony Hopkins, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Martin Sheen, Helen Hunt, Harry Belafonte, Lindsay Lohan, Christian Slater and Elijah Wood. “We have the right connections, and our team- Christopher Beatty, Harrison Kordestani, Michael Mailer and Hubert Gibbs- will ensure that this will be a significant and thought provoking production,” said Bass. Thorough research. “I have worked carefully with this project for many years. I’ve received over 20 years of research from my co-writer (Eva Mayer), who is a descendent of those who bought the old Gunness property. During the development of the script, we have worked closely with experts on the psychology of mass murderers, sexual assault and murder investigation. Belle's a female version of Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter. This is wonderful material, which should have wide audience appeal," said Bass. He said that he has the Norwegian-descent actor Bjorn Johnson as co-producer, and believes it will ensure that the Norwegian dimension of the story will come forward. In addition to several feature- length films, Johnson has had roles in TV series like The Sopranos and Mad Men. Shook the United States. The story of Belle Gunness shook the entire United States when it was first known in 1908. The Norwegian immigrant's double life came to light a day after her house burned down in April of that year. In the ruins they found the bodies of Belle’s children, Myrtle (11), Lucy (9) and Philip (5) along with the body of an unidentified headless female. Shortly after the fire, Asle Helgelien arrived in La Porte. He was looking for his missing brother Andrew whom he knew had corresponded with Belle Gunness through several letters. Asle started digging for answers and eventually found the corpse of his brother inside a hard sack on the Gunness property. It gave the start to an extensive police investigation, which uncovered 20 bodies buried on the site. She got away? One of the lingering questions that has never been resolved, surrounds the mystery of headless body that was found in the burnt-out farm house. Was this really Belle, or the remains from another woman? A number of historians and scholars believe that this was in fact not Belle but the remains of a woman she murdered and planted in the farm house before she lit it aflame and disappeared. In 2008, researchers from the University of Indianapolis exumed the remains of a woman's body from a local cemetery. The body was tested for DNA traces, but DNA material did not give a clear answer to the riddle.

Advertising To Kill. From the heinous female serial killer at the heart of director and producer Edward Bass’ new turn-of-the-century film Belle to the infamous Craigslist killer of 2009, the art of killing has had much to do with the art of the advertisement.

Belle Gunness had composed love letters to men she met through personal ads in local newspapers in order to draw potential suitors to her La Porte, Indiana farmhouse. Many of the men who responded would soon meet their demise at her hand. With a modern twist, the Craigslist killer, Philip Markoff, found his female victim from an ad the woman placed on Craigslist.com, advertising her personal massage services. While Belle Gunness and Philip Markoff’s crimes retain a common thread, the art of advertisement has evolved greatly since Belle’s day. Revolutionized by the Internet, personal ads are no longer limited by the reach of one’s pen. Yet, the real conundrum at hand calls us to ask—what makes people use ads to put themselves in these types of precarious situations? Whether Belle Gunness advertised herself so as to snatch a husband or Philip Markoff sought the personal services advertised by his victims, both used the art of advertisement for an evil end.

What’s somewhat more surprising is that neither Belle Gunness nor Philip Markoff fit the part of the conventional killer. A good-looking and talented medical student, Markoff didn’t scream murderer. On the same token, Belle, a Norwegian immigrant tending to three orphaned children, didn’t really fit the stereotype either, but looks can be quite deceiving. These two advertising gone amok stories make audiences wonder what compelled Markoff’s victims to place their service ads in the first place, just as it makes one question why so many able, young men decided to take the journey to Belle’s Indiana farm. Was it the allure of a better life that attracted Belle’s suitors? Was it the simple desire to acquire money that drove Markoff’s victims to place their ads on Craigslist? Leaving the final judgment call to be made by the observer, both Belle and Markoff’s victims opened the door to the person who would be their doom.

The major difference between these two killers lies in accountability, or lack thereof. For Belle Gunness to kill somewhere between 40 and 100 men and never get caught shows just how different the times in which she lived were. Countless men turned up dead before Belle’s killing spree was even noticed. Markoff faced a different fate—accused, convicted and branded a murderer by millions.

If there's one thing that can be said about Belle, it's that she surely knew how to market herself.

Hell's Belle A big house, lots of land, a beautiful family and delicious sausage- every woman’s dream at the turn of the 20th century. Yet, while millions of women slaved everyday for just a glimpse of this dream, one woman, La Porte Indiana’s Belle Gunness, would have killed for it, so she did. While Americans will never forget the names Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, David Berkowitz, or Charles Manson, few have ever heard the name “Belle Gunness”, until now. Famed producer Edward Bass is making the transition behind the camera to capture the final days of the Norwegian-born murderess’ killing spree in Indiana in his forthcoming film, aptly titled Belle. During her reign of terror, Ms. Gunness was been accused of murdering over 40 people, along with a handful of her own children and two of her husbands. Belle would lure men to her home through lonely-heart ads that would promise a loving and faithful wife, who had on a large plot of land with no man to help her. Once they arrived, Gunness would quickly murder the men in her makeshift slaughter house on her La Porte farm. The way she would dispose of the bodies was by feeding the remains to the pigs that she would later butcher and sell in her local market. She was known for having the town’s tastiest sausage. Sadly, Bass is not attempting to make a film that highlights the American pork industry in the early 1900’s, but rather a piece that truly captures the nature of a mother, a wife, and a serial killer. It is not Belle the monster, but rather Belle the woman that is the focus of the film and that will hopefully capture the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. Just like every other serial killer in human history, there is a rhyme and reason behind Belle’s madness that transcends violence and paints a more sympathetic picture of her heinous actions. Although in the end she burns down her house with her children inside, Bass’ aim is to display the mother who helped stage “The Wizard of Oz” in her own home to keep her young ones entertained. Just as Jonathon Demme did with Hannibal Lecter, Bass’ vision is one of a killer that is a complex individual with his or her own story to tell outside of his or her actions. Hence, as with Lecter, there is an extreme importance in casting an actress who can play the part of monster and woman, but with Bass’ already well established reputation in the industry, this task should not be difficult. Currently, the film is in the pre-production stages with filming scheduled to begin sometime in early 2010 in either Gunness’ Indiana hometown or in a similar location that will capture the feeling and scenery of early 20th century farm living. Aside from telling the story of Belle Gunness, Bass is attempting to tell the story of the Midwestern United States during this time period. To accurately portray her personality and even interests, Bass must recreate this America through costume design, scenery, but most importantly, supporting characters. Perhaps what is most intriguing about Belle Gunness is her interactions with her family, her help, the townspeople, and the victims she claims. Aside from Belle, Bass resurrects many other La Porters who each contribute to Gunness’ tale in a unique way, from her trustworthy farmhand Ray Lamphere, who was supposedly her partner in crime, to the local Sheriff who was too much blinded by Belle’s charm to notice anything unusual. Still, a movie of this nature would not be the same if there was no other woman to contrast Belle, which is where her daughter Souvi comes into play. Souvi plays the deceptively innocent young woman who, like her mother, is confused as to what she is truly searching for in life. Where they differ, however, is that while Belle’s body count is 40 and climbing, as far as is known, Souvi did not inherit her mother’s wild side. Edward Bass’ Belle is a complex tale of one of America’s most forgotten serial killers who is at the same time one of the country’s most successful. Already, the media and press surrounding the production are creating a great deal of excitement for the film which is hopefully to be released sometime in late 2010. Until then, audiences can only sit and wait, chewing on their hot dogs and sausages and wondering where the meat came from.

Being Belle

BEING BELLE Golden Globe-nominated producer working on film about serial killer from La Porte  By Derek Smith (Staff Writer)  With nothing but pen and paper, Belle Gunness lured dozens of unsuspecting men to her La Porte home in the early 1900s. Through her love letters, she coaxed the gentlemen to sell everything they owned and bring the cash to her rural farm where they were robbed, killed and dismembered by the very woman who had pledged them her love. What was it about her letters that made so many men throw caution to the wind for a woman they hadn't even laid eyes on? It's a question filmmaker Edward Bass wants to answer. Bass has recently written a screenplay about America's most prolific female serial killer and puts Gunness' love letters at the heart of the story. A Golden Globe-nominated producer, Bass also plans to direct the project, simply titled "Belle." "How could she write a letter and convince people to travel 3,000 miles with all of their money?" the filmmaker asked on the phone Friday from New York City. To channel Belle's spirit, Bass worked with native La Porte resident Eva Mayer on the film's script. Mayer's family purchased the old Gunness property on McClung Road, and she has spent years researching the killer's life, according to Bass. The result: A chilling psychological study of the enigmatic murderess and what motivated her. "We've turned it into a gripping story, which captures the essence of the woman's charm," Bass said. Bass first heard the macabre tale of Belle Gunness from his friend, Norwegian-American actor Bjorn Johnson, who is also co-producing "Belle." He was instantly intrigued not only by her letters but by the mystery of what triggered her killing spree - something he said is explained in the film. "She's the most fascinating of serial killers," Bass said, referring to her as America's Jack the Ripper and the female Hannibal Lecter. He spent the last year working on the script and is in the process of casting the lead role. To make the scenario more plausible, Bass said he wants to cast someone who not only possesses the acting chops to pull off the part, but is physically attractive as well. "It's going to be hard for an audience to buy that a hundred men walked to their deaths like sheep" based on authentic photos of Gunness, he said. Another key character in Bass's story is the city of La Porte, and he intends to shoot the movie partially on location with sites likely to include the La Porte County Circuit Courthouse. He compared the use of La Porte in his script to the town of Santa Rosa in Alfred Hichcock's "Shadow of a Doubt." "Everything seemed OK, yet there was an evil, a predator, lurking in the town," he explained. The film also addresses a major question that, to this day, hasn't been sufficiently answered: How was she able to get away with it? "Why didn't anyone stand up? The signs were there," he said. "Were [the townspeople] protecting themselves, or was it so far out of the realm of what they could believe?" "Belle" will be Edward Bass' first film as a director, but he's built up an impressive resume as a producer. He's had five independently financed pictures in just two years. His films include the thriller "While She Was Out" (2008) starring Kim Basinger and "Bobby" (2006), Emilio Estevez's directorial debut. Centered around the assassination of Robert Kennedy, "Bobby" stared an ensemble cast including Anthony Hopkins, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Martin Sheen, Helen Hunt and Lindsey Lohan. To learn more about Bass and his films, visitwww.edwardbassfilms.com

Did the Wizard of Oz Inspire America's Number 1 Serial Killer?

         

Director and Writer Edward Bass found out that The Wizard of Oz may have acted as an inspiration to America's most famed serial killer 30 years before Judy Garland graced the screen. What seems an unlikely source of inspiration actually helps exemplify the inventiveness of Bass' leading lady in the upcoming feature film, "Belle". This time, his tale of the Norwegian serial killer, Belle Gunness, who killed her husbands and suitors in turn-of-the-century Indiana, will be taking a leaf from one of America's most famed fables; "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz", written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. The novel was adapted into a stage play in 1902 and debuted in Chicago, at The Grand Opera House, just two hours from La Porte, Indiana where the Gunness’ farm was located. Though Bass’s story of Belle is fictitious, Both Belle and Dorthy lend themselves to fantastic events in far-away lands. As it turns out, Ms. Gunness was a fan of Mr. Baum's fairytale. Becoming a nationwide hit, the play moved to Broadway and was eventually immortalized by its filmed productions in 1910 and 1939.



Belle was distraught when the play became so successful, that in 1903 it moved to Broadway and in 1910 it hit the big screen. "We were shocked to even learn that there was an early Oz and Belle link,” Bass said. “A link between a killer who went virtually unknown and America’s most famed fable which had a hit sound track". “MGM had hoped to use the track but unfortunately was entirely replaced." Good news for film goers and fans of The Wizard of Oz, Bass will be using the track for Belle".

Veteran Producer

Veteran Producer and First time Director, Edward Bass is set to direct the upcoming film, Belle. The script explores the gruesome true story of Belle Gunness, an early twentieth century female serial killer. Hollywood insiders have been gushing over the script and many comparisons have been drawn with the Academy Award winning Monster (2003), the true story of a Florida prostitute who murdered her clients. Charlize Theron won an Oscar with her tour de force performance of Aileen Wuornos and many expect the same result with Belle due to the complex characterization captured in the screenplay. So, how does the monstrous Aileen Wuornos match up against the beast known as Belle? Aside from her Hollywood incarnation, Aileen Wuorno's disturbing life story has been the subject of many documentaries.

Her father, whom she never knew, had hung himself while in prison and her mother had abandoned her when she was only five years old. She began to engage in sex with multiple partners, including her own brother. After being raped at the age of 13, she gave birth to a son, only to be kicked out of her home two years later. After engaging in increasingly violent offenses, she committed her first murder in self-defense during a rape attempt which in turn led to a killing spree of 7 men until her capture and execution in 2002. Belle Gunness’ murderous exploits have not been as well documented, and her background still to this day remains a mystery. Belle was a Norwegian immigrant who married her first husband in Chicago during the 1880’s. He and two of their children had died under obscure circumstances; she then collected his life insurance. Belle had later moved to a farm in La Porte, Indiana, where she married her second husband, only to have him die after a blow to the head 8 months later. After his death, Belle began filing personal ads and sending love letters to various wealthy landowners across the country.

In these letters she included propositions of marriage and the joining of their respective fortunes. Many enthusiastic suitors came to La Porte, but none of which had ever left. People began to suspect foul play and that Belle was feeding their corpses to her pigs; however, before any serious investigation commenced, her house had burned down and Belle's body still to this day has never been found. It has been speculated that she had murdered around one hundred people. The difference between these two murderesses is that much more is known about the horrible life of Aileen Wuornos and it is easier to portray a sympathetic portrait of such a tortured soul; however, the life and motivations behind Belle Gunness still remain unknown. Where Aileen was emotional and sloppy, Belle was cold and precise. In many respects, Belle's character is such a blank canvas that whichever lucky actress is pegged to play the part would be free explore the darkest depths of the human psyche and give a performance that will leave an indelible mark in the minds of viewers for time to come.

Letters of Love

by Ashley Nunez Tucked away on the pastures of a 1908 farm house in La Porte, Indiana, lived a woman who’s story no longer has to wait to be told correctly. Director Edward Bass has been working on Belle, a script about America’s own female serial killer way before Annie Wilkes or Aileen Wuornos, for over two years now. Known to many storytellers as Lady Bluebeard, Belle Gunness was estimated to have killed over 50 people some including her own children. The initial inspiration for Belle came from Eva Mayer’s, a La Porte resident, who came across actual love letters written by Belle Gunness. After the death of her second husband, Mrs. Gunness was left to tend to her hog farm and children with only the help of a hired hand. In response to her loneliness, Mrs. Gunness placed ads in newspapers seducing men into traveling to Indiana with pockets full of cash. Bass’ interpretation of the Gunness’ factory line of love letters provides an imaginative clarity to what could have been possible. Funded by greed and blood, Belle is allotted infinite capabilities to what money can buy. There is not one part of this script that Bass has overlooked. Infused with humor, charm, elegance, and a perpetual cycle of evil, Belle Gunness’ grand dreams come to life once more through Bass. Two years in the making and the script is at its best revision yet. Finding links to even the most unlikely of events, Bass shows Belle as a dominant woman in a pre-WWI America. She commands her power as she serves the town with a wholesome image of a mother selling sausages to keep her farm afloat. What sets Bass’ story about Lady Bluebeard apart from others is how one woman reigned over an entire town that allowed her killings to go unnoticed. It’s the makeup of Belle that captivates all audiences into almost rooting for her. The best glimpses of the mastery to her madness are the scenes where Belle interacts with an enslaved love. Letting her guard down to the only man she has an intimate relationship with, Belle is barely weakened by his betrayl. She is a woman who holds her own and only gets stronger as she threatened by an outsider who is desperate to expose her. Taken to a foreign place that infiltrates the very being of everyone touched by Belle, Belle holds true to the mystery of what became of Belle Gunness. Managing to surpass the test of time with inconclusive DNA tests that would place Mrs. Gunness' headless body at the very fire that was claimed to have destroyed her, Belle draws in her audience just likes the real Belle Gunness penned her way into the hearts of men and charmed them to their graves.