Set in the Egypt of 1897, “Murder at the Pharaoh’s Grave” reveals the wide-screen beauty of the desert on a middle-school budget. Archeologist Ellis Clarke finds herself arrested for the disappearance of a colleague. Against the power of the British army, Clarke must draw on her wit, strength, and craftiness to excavate the truth and save her life. From brilliant Cairo, across the magnificent desert on camels, and into an ominous pyramid, the 13-year-old filmmakers concisely capture the suspense, action, and humor of the mystery genre.

      Filmed and edited over six months, the movie combines archival footage, real and virtual sets, and over 100 pounds of sand. Bringing writer/director Ben Kadie’s vision to life required ambitious special effects including miniatures, animation, matte paintings and compositing. “Murder at the Pharaoh’s Grave” is microcinema of historic proportions.

To enlarge, click "YouTube logo. While it plays, click "HD" for high-def.

 

Full Movie

 

Director's Commentary for "Murder at the Pharaoh's Grave"

 

Apr 16 2010, 5:09 PM
Ben Kadie has tracked down an elusive criminal on the streets of a grimy city, orchestrated an air attack behind enemy lines, and has visited a pharaohs grave – all before his 15 birthday. He travels through time and... More ›

Scholastic has given arts awards since 1923 to teens such as Andy Warhol, Robert Redford, and John Lithgow. Over 165,000 works were submitted this year with fewer than 1300 receiving a national awards. There is an ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June for which the city is lighting to top of the Empire State Building gold. (The ceremony, however, conflicts with the end of school at Interlake so Ben won't be able to go.)

September 30, 2009: "Murder at the Pharaoh's Grave" is a nominee for the KIDS! FIRST "Best Award!" in the category of "Student Production, Middle School". Winners will be announced in a ceremony at the Santa Fe Film Festival on December 5.

September 27, 2009, 33rd Annual Young People's Film & Video Festival, Portland, Oregon -- Sparks in the Night & "Murder at the Pharaoh's Grave" were two of the 16 winners out of 100+ submissions. In 2008 year "Friendly Game" earned also earned a spot on the winner's program. Both years Ben attended with his family and had a great time.

Photos from NFFTY
NFFTY video interview with Ben

April 21, 2009: Three days before its Seattle première, 'Murder at the Pharaoh's Grave' got a great review from Warren Etheredge in Seattle's Child magazine. Mr. Etheredge calls the film one of the highlights of NFFTY and says "Kadie wisely uses these effects along with archival footage and an original score to transform this simple tale into legitimate crowd-pleasing entertainment." Read the full review

Bellevue 13-year-old filmmaker Ben Kadie has had a film in every NFFTY festival since it launched. He wrote, directed and starred in the film, “Murder at the Pharaoh’s Grave.” Although set in Egypt, the film was shot in Ben’s backyard using green screen and home made sets.

Two years ago, the Reporter profiled Ben, then a 6th grader, after his film "Perilous Skies" won a screening at the Seattle International Film Festival via a Seattle Times contest. (Article)

Across the country in Bellevue, Wash., Ben Kadie is another filmmaker who values self-reliance. As an 8th grader, Kadie is also one of the youngest participants in this year's festival, but his age has not prevented him from pursuing a mature cinematic vision. Kadie spared nothing in making "Murder at the Pharaoh's Grave," a murder mystery set in colonial Egypt. Using advanced cinematic techniques such as miniatures, matte paintings, and compositing to make his 12-minute mini-epic, Kadie notes that "learning from mistakes in past film projects" was instrumental in the success of "Pharaoh's Grave."

Both "A Friendly Game" and "Murder at the Pharaoh's Grave" are official selections of the festival.

(Send your unbiased, positive reviews to info@benkadie.com.)