As a documentary filmmaker myself, I can deeply empathize with the Evans and Dinerstein duo as they navigate the intricate world of true crime storytelling. Their dedication to shedding light on the Menendez brothers’ tale is commendable, and their unwavering commitment to delivering an authentic account is truly inspiring.
Just recently, Netflix revealed their plans to debut a new documentary, which will mark the first time in many years that the Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, have spoken publicly. This documentary will focus on the infamous double murder case from 1996 that led to each brother receiving a life sentence in prison.
The announcement was made just a few days following the fact that Netflix’s scripted series about the brothers, titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” had risen to become the platform’s most popular show. This development led to an uncommon public statement from Erik Menendez, who expressed his disapproval of the portrayal of the brothers’ 1996 murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. In the two weeks since the series debuted, there has been a flurry of media coverage, with producer Ryan Murphy and the extended Menendez family also voicing their opinions on the show in public forums. Most recently, Kim Kardashian visited the brothers in prison and penned an influential op-ed advocating for their release.
Recently, after a habeas corpus petition submitted by the brothers in 2023, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón declared on Thursday night that their case is once more being scrutinized. This development could potentially lead to a retrial, a reduced sentence for them, or even their release.
All of this, meanwhile, is now coming just ahead of Monday’s The Menendez Brothers documentary.
The creators of the nearly two-hour documentary, Ross Dinerstein and Rebecca Evans from Campfire Studios, are not newcomers in the world of significant productions. They’ve been involved in popular projects such as Netflix’s ‘American Murder: Laci Peterson’, ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’, and Max’s ‘Murdaugh Family Mysteries’, among others.
But their experience with this Menendez moment is different.
As a devoted gamer, I’ve been eagerly following the progress of the “The Menendez Brothers” documentary. Recently, I had an exclusive chat with Dinerstein and Evans from The Hollywood Reporter about this highly anticipated project. They shared some fascinating insights, such as how their discussions with Lyle and Erik have accumulated over 20 hours of audio interviews, all conducted from prison! This extensive material has also given birth to a three-episode companion podcast, set to drop on Oct. 9.
***
Hey there! After putting countless hours into a project, it was quite a rush to see it make headlines during its debut week. Has something like this happened with other projects I’ve worked on before?
ROSS DINERSTEIN No, we haven’t released it yet, but we’re eagerly anticipating its debut. If only we could unveil it today! We’ve been working tirelessly on this project for nearly four years now. We take immense pride in our work, and the anticipation is palpable among many who have inquired about its release. Additionally, Netflix has already done an excellent job generating excitement for it within their service.
REBECCA EVANS Over the last 30 years, this story has occasionally been relevant in popular culture. Being so immersed in it, we are familiar with everyone discussing it online, in books, or whatever activities they’re engaged in. It’s quite intriguing and exciting to see these discussions unfold publicly as our documentary reveals all our research findings. I’m eager for people to watch it and form their own opinions about the subject matter.
Is there any chance Netflix may release it before Monday?
DINERSTEIN We have no idea.
Let’s go back – when was the seed for this documentary planted? Who approached whom and when?
EVANS Initially, we believed it was essential to involve either or both brothers in our research and documentary production to ensure their story was accurately portrayed. We felt uncomfortable telling their tale without their participation since documentaries demand a more personal touch. Campfire is known for ensuring the key figures are on board with our projects, so I wrote to Lyle first. He replied, and surprisingly, his wife, Rebecca [Sneed], helped arrange a phone call because I can’t initiate calls from prison. We began speaking with Lyle and eventually got things moving. Approximately a year later, Erik agreed to join the project.
In those early conversations, what were some hesitations or concerns when Lyle heard your pitch?
EVANS Our interaction was immediately straightforward and transparent. I’m not in a position to comment on his perspective, but it’s his experience to share as he sees fit. He has no reservations about discussing it since he is well aware of the truth.
CAMPFIRE Our firm, Campfire, enjoys a strong reputation. We collaborated on a project titled The Innocent Man alongside Netflix and John Grisham, an endeavor that significantly contributed to the exoneration of an imprisoned individual. Consequently, I believe it’s plausible that such a credible and well-respected company may have already crossed Lyle’s radar, even if he might not be directly aware of it himself.
Four years ago, when you embarked on this project, the #MeToo movement had already gained momentum, shattering the culture of silence. It’s unclear if the Menendez brothers felt this shift while incarcerated, but what factors from that era might have inspired them to share their story?
JONES They comprehend the current happenings outside and understand that their narrative is captivating audiences more than ever before. This heightened interest can be traced back to COVID-19, when Court TV broadcasted their trial in its entirety, reigniting public curiosity. Today, cases of abuse are being viewed differently, which made it a suitable moment for them to share their story, not just for us but for them as well. It was also an opportune time since people have been reconsidering things from different perspectives. The narrative reflects, in some ways, the case and trial back then, where people seemed divided on what to believe.
When Erik entered our discussions, it likely made the project seem even more tangible. Given that they had already experienced the appeals process and, as depicted in the documentary, felt despair, what were their objectives for continuing with this? What was their mental state during this time? And, were there any topics or aspects that they refused to discuss or explore?
On Wednesday, we’ll unveil our accompanying podcast, titled “Menendez Brothers Official Podcast“. This release follows two days after our documentary debuts. Join us as we delve deeper into the minds of our director Alejandro [Hartmann] and the Menendez brothers themselves – Lyle and Erik. In this insightful conversation, they share their motivations behind this project, their reasons for telling their story, and their feelings about everything that has transpired. This podcast provides an excellent chance for those who’ve seen the documentary to gain further insights from them, addressing many of the questions you might have.
Looking back over the past four years, do you remember any particular instance where your advocacy campaign began to gain significant momentum on TikTok?
AS A FAN, I find it heartening that individuals are eager to share their personal narratives, and there are advocates who are passionately supporting them. However, it seems that their legal teams have taken a more pivotal role in this situation than any other party. The key battle, in my opinion, is being waged behind the scenes, as they navigate the new evidence and the latest habeas petition. That’s where I believe the core of the struggle truly lies.
In relation to the TikTok phenomenon, during the pandemic, their initial trial was broadcasted, and the verdict was a hung jury. It wasn’t something that this jury could convict them of, and there were discussions about a potential retrial for a whole new generation in real-time. People were deeply moved by it all.
A significant point in the documentary arises when one of the jurors from the second trial explains, using basic language, their dilemma since manslaughter was ruled out for the second trial. He expressed that they had to determine whether a murder had occurred or not, and he stated that they couldn’t deny that a murder took place. [They were found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole in 1996.]
ANDREW WOLFBERG, one of my wife’s close friends, and I have often conversed about these matters during social gatherings over dinner for quite some time. Interestingly enough, Andrew had recently passed the bar exam when he was selected for that jury, which prompted him to approach his duties with great care. In a casual conversation, I inquired if he had followed the initial trial, to which he responded, “I didn’t feel compelled to – I already served four months in a jury box.
Have you found out where Judge Stanley M. Weisberg currently is, and has there been any communication or discussions with him, as he was the judge during the Menendez trials?
EVANS (PARAPHRASED) We made contact, but he’s currently 80 years old. It appears his daughter is handling most matters these days. However, I didn’t have an opportunity for a discussion with him directly.
Given your personal experience with similar situations and reflecting on Judge Weisberg’s decisions during the second trial, particularly his ruling to disallow the sexual abuse defense, would you say it is possible for such a decision to be made in a modern-day trial under similar circumstances?
EVANS I’m not certain. However, in our documentary, we explore various aspects that could explain why things unfolded as they did. I believe you’ll find these themes quite insightful regarding the legal system.
Indeed, the documentary portrays the historical context – the O.J. Simpson acquittal and Rodney King riots looming over the second Menendez trial during that period, as well as the current societal shift where male sexual abuse survivors are increasingly being listened to and believed. What makes you think this is an opportune moment for its release?
As a gamer, I find myself right smack in the midst of an intriguing moment, one that could potentially be my last shot at a turnaround. With no more chances to appeal, this might just be my final opportunity for something significant to happen. Considering the recent buzz surrounding me, it seems like serendipitous timing. The headlines and the game called Monsters have sparked curiosity about my tale. We’ve delved deep into research, pieced together every detail, and now you’ll get to hear from me directly.
DINERSTEIN It’s completed! We’re quite pleased with it and we believe it’s excellent. Now it’s ready for public viewing.
How have you managed to keep this document secret, given it was just recently revealed when Monsters was peaking on Netflix? Despite knowing they were produced independently without any connection as companion series, I find it intriguing that both were released around the same time.
Absolutely, I’d like to clarify that this isn’t a counterpart to the book titled “Monsters”. Just wanted to make that clear.
AS A GAMER: Just like every other gaming doc I’ve worked on, this one didn’t tag along with us during the journey. Instead, we focused on crafting an incredible tale from the last four years and sharing it with the world. We kept things hush-hush, just as you do when working with Netflix – they’re a ship that sails by its own rules!
DINERSTEIN (PARAPHRASED) Generally, we don’t make formal announcements to signal the beginning of a project. That’s not how Netflix typically operates. It’s more effective to start working and surprise everyone with the result, rather than announcing you’re in production only to release it years later.
Given that this is being released so swiftly after Monsters, I’m guessing it was Netflix who made the call. What are your thoughts on this timeline for release?
DINERSTEIN We’re thrilled about their choice. Netflix clearly has a knack for it; they’re the cream of the crop when it comes to project launches, so we’re perfectly fine with it.
As a movie enthusiast, nothing fills me with more joy than seeing the fruits of filmmakers’ labor being appreciated by the masses. It couldn’t be more fitting that this surge of interest coincides with a growing desire from people to delve deeper into the narratives that resonate with them.
After I wrapped up watching this documentary, it turned out that on Thursday evening, Los Angeles prosecutors revealed they were examining fresh evidence regarding the Menendez case and scheduled a hearing for November 29. A petition was filed in 2023 as part of a habeas process. Were you expecting some developments to surface around the time of your documentary’s debut?
EVANS We weren’t expecting any press conferences or updates this week, but we had already been aware of the scheduled date in November. Last night didn’t provide any fresh information for me because the situation is still being reviewed. In essence, it’s business as usual. The habeas corpus petition was filed in 2023, and during our documentary production, we decided not to act as litigators or present new evidence alongside the legal team. Instead, we approached this as a story that happened in the past, and all our research on it was what we presented. To put it simply, adding current information didn’t alter our understanding of what transpired then, if that clarifies things.
When did you wrap production?
Approximately a year ago, we began meticulously editing this narrative, striving to find the most engaging approach to convey an unusual tale where the brothers are phoning in, and it’s told through audio. Given that audiences aren’t accustomed to such a format, we were determined to tell the story effectively while keeping pace with cultural developments since then.
In the Peacock documentary, Rosselló from Menudo made public a sexual abuse claim against José Menendez. This revelation was made a month prior to the Menendez brothers submitting their habeas petition. I’m curious if you considered incorporating this allegation into your documentary?
EVANS The narrative here seems more centered around Erik and Lyle, rather than the other individual from the Menudo case. It’s not primarily a tale about him, at least not for us in this production. Details concerning that figure might come to light during legal proceedings or news reports, but our intention is to emphasize the siblings.
Do you plan to update the final title card in the doc with Thursday’s development?
EVANS Regarding the title card, there was no plan for change as we weren’t aware of last night’s press conference. However, given that audiences now understand the context better, it might be redundant to repeat what we already have. We’ll evaluate the situation and decide accordingly.
How in touch have you been with Erik and Lyle?
EVANS Throughout the entire project, we maintained constant communication, which was fortunate as their wives were equally cooperative. Since filming for the documentary concluded a year ago, I’ve primarily been in contact with the wives, handling logistics and relaying messages. I dropped by when we first started this venture, and I’d be thrilled to return now that we’ve wrapped up the film. Our relationship remains friendly.
Have they seen the final film?
EVANS Although we’ve passed the information along to our family, I’m not entirely certain about what details they have access to since there are limits. However, they do converse with their spouses frequently, so it’s possible.
When Kim Kardashian pens an opinion piece advocating for them, following a visit, it suggests a shift in the cultural momentum that currently supports them, as contrasted with the historical context you examined in your documentary.
DINERSTEIN It’s thrilling! Kim has a vast reach and a large following. With her voicing their opinions, and I’m certain she’ll mention the documentary once she views it… we do this so that as many people as possible can watch it. We hope the audience watches it and forms their own opinion about it.
EVANS It’d be great if Kim could take a look at it. We’re eager for her to explore it further, as there are many insights to gain from it.
Will you have a conversation with Erik and Lyle once the documentary is released? I’m curious about their current feelings of optimism. Given that the habeas petition might be their final opportunity, it seems to me that they must have had a complex relationship with hope after so many years.
One way of rephrasing the statement in a natural and easy-to-read manner is:
EVANS I intend to reach out following its release, once I’ve gauged public response. I’m quite eager to learn what viewers think and how they feel after viewing it, considering that a lot of people watching aren’t familiar with the story at all.
Have you watched Monsters?
DINERSTEIN We haven’t.
Are you intrigued by it, given its significant impact on cultural dialogue?
DINERSTEIN To be honest, our schedules are too packed at the moment to find time for watching it. It’s quite a lengthy production, and we’ve been focusing diligently on our project, ensuring its successful release.
***
The documentary about the Menendez Brothers will be available to stream on Netflix starting October 7th. Keep an eye on THR for further updates from Dinerstein and Evans following the release of the documentary, and find more of our coverage on the Menendez brothers in our archives.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-05 01:26