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October Roses - Director's Cut

Based on Stephen King's 1978 short story "Nona," this haunting tale unfolds through the words of an inmate as a ride with a stranger forces him to confront a truth he's spent years trying to forget.

  • Brandon Lazenko
    Director
    A Serpent by the Nest
  • Shelby Lazenko
    Writer
  • Michael Doerge
    Writer
  • Stephen King
    Writer
    IT, The Shining, Misery, The Shawshank Redemption, Carrie, The Green Mile, Stand by Me, The Mist, Gerald's Game, Children of the Corn, Pet Semetary, Doctor Sleep
  • Robert Kurtzman
    Producer
    From Dusk Til Dawn, The Green Mile, Misery, Children of the Corn, Gerald's Game, Doctor Sleep, Wishmaster, The Haunting of Hill House, Cherry, Evil Dead 2, Tusk, It Follows, Oz the Great and Powerful, Spy Kids
  • Marcy King
    Producer
    Cherry, Black Friday, Doctor Sleep, Thye Haunting of Hill House, Ma, Gerald's Game,
  • Lynn Gorman
    Producer
  • Danny Abood
    Producer
  • Brandon Lazenko
    Producer
    A Serpent by the Nest
  • Shelby Lazenko
    Producer
  • David Kirst
    Producer
    Escape from Death Block 13, ClownTown
  • Matthew Mikita
    Producer
    A Serpent by the Nest,
  • Brandon J. Hurst
    Producer
  • R.A. Denen
    Producer
  • Chris Hahn
    Producer
    Escape from death Block 13, Wrong Turn, ClownTown
  • Bob Stone Cohen
    Producer
  • Connor Mutnansky
    Producer
  • Ken Robinson
    Producer
  • Kyla Dyan
    Key Cast
    "Nona"
  • Matthew Weitz
    Key Cast
    "Adam"
    A Serpent by the Nest
  • Robert Kurtzman
    Key Cast
    "Cop"
    From Dusk Til Dawn, The Green Mile, Misery, Children of the Corn, Gerald's Game, Doctor Sleep, Wishmaster, The Haunting of Hill House, Cherry, Evil Dead 2, Tusk, It Follows, Oz the Great and Powerful, Spy Kids
  • Chris Hahn
    Key Cast
    "Clay"
    Escape from death Block 13, Wrong Turn, ClownTown
  • Jared Noble
    Key Cast
    "Ace"
    Cellphone
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    28 minutes 37 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 20, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    70,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Alexa Mini LF
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Brandon Lazenko

Born in 1991 in Akron, Ohio, Brandon Lazenko entered the world of genre filmmaking with, “A Serpent by the Nest,” a noir thriller that explores the taboo subject of human trafficking. This short film earned him recognition, winning multiple directorial awards, and establishing Lazenko as a filmmaker with a distinctive perspective. Lazenko’s work is recognized by his ability to blend suspense, atmosphere, and rich character development, crafting dark narratives that captivate audiences.

Mentored by horror industry icon Robert Kurtzman, Lazenko’s career reflects his passion to learn from the best and push the boundaries of conventional filmmaking. This mentorship has been a guiding force in Lazenko’s career, influencing his creative process and artistic decisions.

His most recent project, “October Roses,” is a testament to his evolving artistry. Based on Stephen King’s 1978 short story “Nona,” and executively produced by Robert Kurtzman, the film highlights Lazenko's skill in crafting stories that are dynamic and emotionally charged.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

With ‘October Roses,’ I aimed to create a film that embodies the essence of dark and gritty storytelling. My vision was to craft a cinematic experience that not only entertains but also pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved in independent filmmaking.

Bringing on Robert Kurtzman, a master of SFX makeup, was a pivotal turning point for this project. It allowed us to create some truly kick-ass death scenes, elevating the film’s intensity and visual impact. These elements play a crucial role in bringing the story’s darker aspects to life, ensuring that every scene resonates with the audience on a visceral level.

Amendment:
To provide further clarification, the version of October Roses being submitted to festivals is the Director's Cut, finalized on October 20, 2024. This updated version was created specifically for its screening at the first Stephen King convention (KingCon 2024) in Las Vegas. The Director's Cut includes significant changes including a newly added scene, refined pacing, and a 3.5-minute reduction in runtime, completed with resources unavailable during the initial release at an alumni engagement event in October 2023.

This final version represents the film as I originally intended and will serve as the definitive edition for festival submissions moving forward.