After the Devil is Dead

A feature-length documentary written and directed by Paul Catalanotto, about the unsolved murder of a woman that took place in New Orleans in the early eighties.

On the 15th of November 1982, in New Orleans, Edna Ann Muscarello Lester, 32, was stabbed to death inside her home, which was then set on fire. To this day, the perpetrator (or perpetrators) have not been caught. Four decades after this terrible incident, her son, Michael Lester collaborated in making this documentary about her passing and to try to find out whether the one responsible was his father, Russell Lester Sr.

Through a vast selection of old photographs and homemade video footage, all expertly edited by Catalanotto, and interviewees including Michael's sister, Angela Lester, one of Russell's former wives, Vickie Morgan Blum, and various relatives and friends, this film provides a dramatic account of a deadly crime and also investigates Russell as a possible perpetrator. The music by Bray Sibley III creates a dark and suspenseful atmosphere and the drama is further strengthened by letters written by Edna being read by a voice actress throughout.

The feature covers the day of the murder and provides backstories, revealing what kind of a person Edna was and Michael and Angela's childhood, growing up with Russell, who was a police officer. It is strongly implied that Russell was a vile individual. Both his children and Vickie tell heartbreaking stories about how he was an abusive father who was often violent towards them. After painting a story about murder and abuse, the film then focuses on Michael's attempts to discover whether his father took his mother's life and much of his investigation involves talking to Vickie via their mobile phones. In some ways, this documentary is a drama about loss and abuse and a mystery thriller.

This film acknowledges a good person who was cruelly taken from the world and the suffering that this loss has caused to her loved ones. It also serves as a commentary about domestic violence and also explores the impact that painful memories have on people and is also a story about fight for justice and closure.

A rather intriguing viewing that attracts attention due to the crime that it centres on, its suspected perpetrator and the pain he caused to those around him. On a more positive note, it also discloses that people that he hurt were able to build lives for themselves. An emotional and shocking story.