“The Cold Ground” – A Journey into the World of Serial Killers
In a chilling exploration of the human psyche, writer and director Devin K. Hansen takes us on a gripping ride with his latest film, “The Cold Ground.” Set against the backdrop of a relentless FBI agent chasing a notorious serial killer named Jack Barlow, the film delves into the twisted minds of its characters, weaving a narrative that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats.
“The story has been a long time coming” said Hansen. “I’ve always had a fascination with serial killers, wondering what went wrong and why they committed so many crimes. I’ve always felt that they each had inner demons.” The film introduces Shane Morrisun, impeccably cast as the chilling protagonist, a character with his own set of inner demons.
“I wanted someone who looked bad and the serial killer type and his face kept coming to my mind, at that point I knew he would be perfect for a serial killer type of character and also giving him an inner demon like character.”
As the story unfolds, viewers might catch subtle references to real-life serial killers. Hansen explains, “in the scene where Shane and Melinda are pulled over and the cop makes the comment about the “broken license plate” was actually the moment when serial killer Joel Rifkin was caught. Another moment where Britani Bateman is talking to Crystal Harris at night, actually quotes Ted Bundy when she says “It’s about possession.” So I threw in those moments to see if people would catch onto that.”
Each day of production holds a special place in Hansen’s heart: “Being with the cast and crew, getting to work on the film, having fun is the best and crazy when the most time flies by.”
Reflecting on the filmmaking process, Hansen contemplates whether he would have done anything differently: “I often tell people that the movie is 95% handheld. I did want to make it more cinematic, but I thought from an audience’s perspective that it would make the film more boring. I wanted to give the audience more suspense and tension by doing the film handheld to make it more interesting.”
For aspiring filmmakers, Hansen shares his wisdom: “It’s never too late to start. Take the time to get to know the right people, be patient because the right time will come when you are ready to shine in the spotlight.”
As audiences await the world premiere of “The Cold Ground” at the Utah International Film Festival from February 12-17, Hansen encourages fans to stay updated on his future projects through his active social media presence.
Tickets available for the WORLD PREMIERE HERE
