Coming to DVD Feb 25, a sizzling hot cocktail of thrills, sex and suspense.
Murder in Miami follows a successful fashion photographer (Joseph Myers) who is wrongly accused of murdering several beautiful young models. As more women are murdered, finds himself in a race to clear his name and save his own life, and in the process, uncovers some dark secrets hidden behind the glass and concrete facade of the magic city.
Murder in Miami is written and directed by Award-Winning filmmaker Will Vazquez.
Will Vazquez – MURDER IN MIAMI
Photographer turned filmmaker Will Vazquez has crafted a terrific ode to both Miami and the Brian De Palma films of the ’80s with Murder in Miami, a sexy, thrilling whodunit out April 22 from Osiris Entertainment.
What’s the connection to Miami?
I live in Los Angeles now, but grew up in Miami and began my career originally as a Playboy Photographer down there in the tropics. Miami is America’s sexiest city, and the perfect setting for a stylized movie like “Murder in Miami”.
Was Miami supportive of you filming in the city? Can you tell us about some of the locations?
I always get great support from Miami; people really love filmmaking down there. Because I grew up in Miami I know every nook and cranny of the city, so I know where a lot of the cool shots are for the exteriors. And thanks to Miami’s explosive condo boom of the last 10 years, the skyline is jam packed with new skyscrapers to serve as a backdrop. I have a couple of buddies of mine that own high-rise condos and they were nice enough to let me shoot for free in their places. Many scenes where done in a studio, a bunch on green screen, and some out and around the area, like the famous JohnMartin’s Irish Pub in Coral Gables, that served as interiors for the Burlesque Club, and also is where I held all the castings, upstairs in their Tipperary Room. JohnMartin’s Irish Pub really served as an integral part in the realization of the film, I even wrote a lot of the script while hanging out there. I can never thank them enough for how accommodating they were.
The film has been described as being in the vein of De Palma. What is it about De Palma that has had an influence on you?
Growing up, I had always been a huge fan of his early 80’s films like “Dressed to Kill”, “Blow Out” and “Body Double”, and I loved how he would tell the stories visually, without a lot of dialogue, or as Hitchcock called it “pure cinema”.
The film features some very hot scenes. Being a photographer, I assume capturing people naked/half-naked isn’t anything new? And more importantly, do you believe sex sells?
Since I started my career as a Playboy photographer, I’m very comfortable with filming nude actors. In the case of my film, the use of nudity was part of the story, it was what the story dictated. The nudity in my film helps convey in a way, how vulnerable the characters are. You ask me if I believe sex sells, and I have to answer 100% yes. But sex isn’t enough, you also have to tell a compelling story or you’ll lose your audience.
How did you get distribution for the film?
When we completed the film, we took it to the American Film Market in Santa Monica California, and Evan Crooke from Osiris Entertainment warmly welcomed us. Evan understands modern day film distribution and more importantly, as a filmmaker himself, understands all the work and sacrifice that goes into making a truly Independent Film. We’re really happy that Evan and Osiris Entertainment are shepherding our picture worldwide.
