Posted on Sun, May. 08, 2005

Dahmer's father the focus of film to be made in KC

By ROBERT W. BUTLER

The Kansas City Star

The formative years of notorious serial killer/cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer, as viewed by his father, will be the subject of “Sorry, Dad,” a feature-length fictional film that goes into production here in September.

The film is the first production by Renegade Pictures, a partnership between KC filmmaker Rich Ambler and Wood Dickinson, former CEO of Dickinson Theatres.

Ambler will direct. Dickinson is producing and has written the screenplay with Chris Ryan.

By concentrating on the character of Dahmer's father, Lionel Dahmer, the film will examine universal questions, such as the role parents play in the choices their children make, Dickinson said.

“Or, are they not choices, but results of the genetic code that we pass on to our children?”

In writing the screenplay, Dickinson met several times with Lionel Dahmer.

“Jeffrey Dahmer didn't display most of the usual traits of a serial killer — he sort of broke the mold,” Dickinson said. “When Lionel found out about this the angst he went through was incredible. Why did it happen to his kid? I think it's a universal story.”

The movie will be shot on 24-frame digital video, which allows a high-quality image on an affordable budget.

Auditions for local actors will be handled by Heather Laird Casting.

“We're looking at a few actors from L.A., but we're not committed to anyone yet,” Dickinson said. “We've done some readings of the script with local actors and know there are people right here capable of doing this.”

Perhaps the best news of all: Renegade already has secured full financing for the project.

For more information go to www.sorrydad.com.