– Edgy drama inspired by internationally known Los Angeles Serial Killer case focuses on detective, journalist and community organizer hunting the killer.
“Dancing With Rip,” is the first movie inspired by the South Central Los Angeles serial killer case, “Grim Sleeper.” The film is being produced by Nyjo Brennen, Florida A&M alum, who most recently produced “Talking with the Taxman about Poetry” which starred Kareem Ferguson, Steph Jones and Vanessa Simmons.
The “Grim Sleeper” is believed to be responsible for at least 11 murders from 1985 to 2007, with all but one of his victims at-risk black females. The use of familial DNA analysis led to the arrest of a suspect in 2010.
“Dancing With Rip” is a dark and compelling thriller focusing on the hunt for the killer, from the perspective of those chasing him, especially the lead detective, an ambitious journalist and a streetwise community organizer, as well as a survivor of one of the attacks.
“There’s something alarming about a serial killer-rapist that terrorized the streets for 25 years and even though the body counts rack up, you never heard about it,” says Brennen. “It becomes even more surreal when the murderer is African American. Why didn’t the story rise to prominence then? Is it because it happened mainly in South Central? Over 1,000 photos and several hundred hours of video were found in the suspect’s home. Many of the women are still unidentified to this day; this story needs to be told.”
The targeted cast for the film includes Forest Whitaker, Gabby Sidibe, Omar Epps, Sophie Okonedo and Lance Gross.
Also on the “Dancing With Rip” team are homicide technical adviser Gil Carrillo, one of the co-lead detectives who captured the “Night Stalker” serial killer, and journalist and serial killer expert Victoria Redstall.
Check out the conceptual trailer:
