THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE INHERITANCE
A Short Film by Courtney Hopkins
Everyone is hiding something.
When the last remaining relatives of a billionaire philanthropist gather for his will reading, it soon transpires that only one of them can win the massive family fortune. Thrust into a riddle-filled game night, with just an hour to solve cryptic clues, everyone quickly resorts to desperate measures. But with each family member seemingly hiding secrets of their own, it appears an even bigger mystery is waiting to be solved. A dark comedy set in 1950s London, The Curious Case of the Inheritance pays homage to classic detective noir films and Agatha Christie’s novels.
The Players
Director Bio
Courtney Hopkins has been killing off her friends since she was a teenager. Her early passion for making horror films has turned into a decades-long career that spans film, television and advertising. Her work has taken her around the world, including England, Japan, and several African countries.
'The Curious Case of the Inheritance' is her writing and narrative directorial debut.
Director Statement
“‘The Curious Case of the Inheritance' is really a culmination of a lifetime spent loving Agathe Christie, Alfred Hitchcock, and Humphrey Bogart. The idea for this short film actually came to me while I was writing murder mystery parties as Christmas gifts for my family. Unfortunately for my family, writing this script took priority and they got giftcards for Christmas instead.
As a writer my focus was creating layers in the characters dialogue and actions, so with repeat viewings there is a wholly different story that unfolds for the audience to enjoy. As a director, it was important to me that I put a contemporary twist on a classic format.”
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Director / Writer / Producer : Courtney Hopkins
Producer : Lydia Anderson
Director of Photography : Andrew Thomas
Editor : Alison Grasso
Composer : Aviram Spies
Associate Producer : Dolly Church
Production Coordinator : Léa Daudon
Art Director : Anastasia Rendina
Camera Operator : Yoann Desmoyers-Davis
Gaffer : Jon Ball
Sound Mixer : Jessie Van Der Vyver
Wardrobe : Larissa Van Der Vyver
Hair & Make-Up : Celia Wright
Post Audio : Tyler Bachert
Runner : Jack Slatery
Runner : Daniel Rae
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Executive Producers
Ed & Cindy Hopkins
Justin & Krysta Hopkins
Sponsors
Jamieson Machine Industrial Supply Company
The Sycamore Tree Venue
Carolina Coral
Moniker Media
Lore Media
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Adam & Maria Nelson, Alison Peck, Allison Eckert, Amy Zemelman, Angela & Mike Redmond, Angela Meyers, Avanish Chandrasekaran, Cindy & Bill Humphrey, Blake Thorne, Brittany Thomas, Bryce Kuegler, Cameron & Michael Gustafson, Casey Jones, Casey Wertz, Caroline Eppright, Chyre & Mark Buntz, Chris Edwards, Colin Miller, Daniel Banks, Darcy Giles, Ed & Cindy Hopkins, Elena Fox, Emily Kennedy, Eric Warren, Ethan Evans, Grace Chon. Jessica Brand, Joséphine Moynihan, Julia Barnett, Lauren & Lawrence Tan, Lillian Fritts, Margaret Bristow, Mark Rendina, Mary Beissel, Matt Antrim, Matt Sanchelli, Max Moynihan, Max Thomas, Megan Landess, Michael Lopez, Mike & Peggy Thomas, Molly Morris, Morgan Cooper, Nate Balli, Nathan Kincaid, Rachel DeYoung, Roberto Herrera, Roger Branit, Sam Findlay, Sergey Kochergan, Shawn & Julie Wright, Sue Marshall, Will Murphy
SCREENINGS
The Curious Case of the Inheritance is currently unavailable to be viewed online, because it is in consideration for screening at festivals.
If you’re an industry professional and would like to request a screener link, please get in touch!