Menendez Brothers Documentary Producers on What’s Next: “This Story Is Far From Over”

Menendez Brothers Documentary Producers on What’s Next: “This Story Is Far From Over”

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen more than my fair share of twists and turns in the narrative realm. The Menendez Brothers documentary, now streaming on Netflix, is no exception. It’s a tale as old as time, yet as fresh as the latest AAA game release.


Four years ago, the team responsible for Netflix’s new documentary about the Menendez brothers started working on their project. What initially began as a letter was followed by a phone call from Lyle Menendez, marking the beginning of both his and brother Erik’s involvement in the documentary titled “The Menendez Brothers“. This production is now available for streaming.

As the two-hour documentary is set to air on Monday, representatives from Campfire Studios – Ross Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans – shared their thoughts with The Hollywood Reporter last week. They discussed the latest updates in the case, which has been revisited by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office due to newly discovered evidence, and the growing momentum for the brothers’ release. This movement has been partially fueled by the popularity of Netflix’s Monsters series. The Menendez brothers were convicted of killing their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in 1996 and were given life sentences without the possibility of parole.

With the documentary now available, showcasing uncommon phone conversations between Erik and Lyle, and a podcast set to launch three new episodes of additional audio this Wednesday, here’s an extended part of our conversation with Dinerstein and Evans. It includes their aspirations for further discussions with the brothers, details about their communication with attorney Leslie Abramson, and their reactions to criticisms that the documentary primarily highlights the defense’s perspective.

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So, are there plans for you to keep the cameras rolling? Do you want to keep following the story?

As an avid fan, I can’t help but express my eagerness for more! Ross Dinstein’s podcast dives deep into the subject matter, but I strongly feel that there’s still so much more to explore. I eagerly anticipate further installments of this captivating narrative.>

Do you think Erik and Lyle would be available for new interviews, if you kept going?

DINERSTEIN Yes, we do. The trust has already built between us and them and their families.

REBECCA EVANS They would absolutely speak to us about what’s been happening.

Is it your opinion that the brothers might endure another trial, given that their habeas petition is currently being considered and could potentially lead to them being retried, given a reduced sentence, or released from prison?

JANE It’s challenging for me to speculate since I’m not in their position. However, given that they’ve had ample time to reflect on the past events and work towards self-improvement, it’s likely they’ve changed significantly. Yet, only they can provide an accurate answer about their current state of mind. So, perhaps it would be best to ask them directly.

I’m intrigued by the emails exchanged between defense attorney Leslie Abramson, as mentioned in your closing titles, and I can’t help but wonder about the nature of these communications. Additionally, I find myself questioning the public statements or lack thereof made by Erik and Lyle regarding their interactions with Ms. Abramson, and what may have influenced her decision to remain relatively silent on this case.

SPEAKER It’s clear that she’s an extraordinarily strong and courageous individual, given the challenges she faced during the case. I eagerly anticipate her watching it, though I hope she does so. Interestingly, she has remained silent since the case, a testament to her resilience. She acknowledged my attempt to contact her as commendable, but still chose not to engage. Regrettably, I can’t claim to speak on her behalf, as she is indeed a formidable figure.

As a dedicated admirer of your work, I’ve found myself pondering over a question that has arisen from your recent documentary. Some viewers have expressed concerns about its perceived one-sidedness or emphasis on the defense, particularly when Pamela Bozanich, the prosecutor from the 1993 trial, expresses her contrary viewpoint by stating, “That whole defense was fabricated.” To address these concerns, I would like to know your thoughts on how you balanced the narrative to present a comprehensive understanding of the case.

EVANS It’s crucial for us as documentarians to present multiple perspectives, and that’s likely why Pamela agreed so quickly to join our team. Our goal is to offer various viewpoints, allowing viewers to form their own opinions, ideas, and questions. There are individuals in this documentary who share similar views with Pamela, while others align more closely with Leslie. I believe it was essential for us to include all sides of the story. I hope that comes across clearly, and because of that, acquiring Pam’s participation wasn’t an issue at all.

DINERSTEIN We’re recognized for this. In case you’ve watched our documentary on the case, American Murder: Laci Peterson, we also conversed with Scott Peterson’s relatives.

What are your expectations for Erik and Lyle as they approach their upcoming hearing on November 29th?

EVANS As with all of our interview subjects, I sincerely hope they believe we accurately portrayed their story in a fair and truthful manner. This includes Pam, Erik, and Lyle. I wish everyone could feel confident that our intentions from the start were genuine and that their voices were heard clearly.

DINERSTEIN One thing I’m particularly proud of is that when the documentary American Murder: Laci Petersen was released, we received a heartfelt note from Laci’s mother. We promised to do something, and we kept our word. We were open with her about who our story would feature, and she expressed gratitude towards us.

The Menendez Brothers documentary is now streaming on Netflix.

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2024-10-08 03:25