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.