Genre
Synopsis
MERCY is a gothic horror film based on the chilling true story of the Vampire Panic that gripped Rhode Island in the 1800s. Set in a small New England town of Exeter, the film follows the haunting tale of Mercy Brown, a young woman who becomes the center of a macabre legend.
As mysterious deaths plague the community, fear and superstition take hold. The townspeople, desperate to find an explanation, attribute the deaths to the influence of vampires. When Mercy falls victim to an untimely demise, her body is exhumed in a desperate attempt to rid the town of the perceived curse.
As darkness descends, the lines between reality and legend blur. Secrets unravel, and a sinister presence looms over the town. As the truth about Mercy's fate is revealed, the community is confronted with a terrifying realization that the true horror may not lie in the supernatural, but in the darkness that resides within human hearts.
MERCY explores themes of fear, hysteria, and the human capacity for cruelty. It delves into the depths of vampire folklore and the psychological impact of collective paranoia. With atmospheric visuals, haunting imagery, and a gripping narrative, the film takes audiences on a journey into the heart of darkness, leaving them questioning the boundaries between myth and reality.
Bio
Bonnie Discepolo (she/they) is a Los Angeles based writer, director and actor. Discepolo is the first American artist descended from a family of Argentine-Italian playwrights, directors, actors, and composers, credited with originating the Latin American dramatic style “El Criollo Grotesco,” which is a mixture of tragicomic satire and domestic discord.
In line with her family heritage, Bonnie Discepolo writes and directs films that tackle socio-political issues - like abortion, trans kids, and sex work - through the lens of comedy and domestic discord. Bonnie’s films have played many film festivals domestically, and internationally to great acclaim, including Tribeca, SXSW, SCAD, Nantucket, Bentonville, Fantastic Fest, Overlook Film Festival and the Cannes International Film Market.
Additionally, Bonnie can be seen on Robert Rodriguez’s “Rebel Without a Crew the Series.” Where she directed an ‘El Mariachi’ style feature film 'Grandma's House' in two weeks on a seven thousand dollar budget under Mr. Rodriguez’s mentorship.
Discepolo is an alumna of the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia, Boston University’s School of Theatre Arts, and the Atlantic Theatre Company.
In addition to filmmaking, Discepolo is a professional actor who’s work can currently be seen in theatres around the world in, Guardian’s of the Galaxy Volume 3, Shazam: Fury of The Gods, Hypnotic, and as a lead guest star on Brian Tee’s directorial debut in season 8 of Chicago Med.
Credits
Director of Photography - Eve Cohen
Assistant Director - Alex Martini
