Will 'I Sell the Dead' see life beyond Slamdance?

How does a veteran of television hit "Lost" and blockbuster movie trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" end up in a film at Slamdance in a novice filmmaker's horror feature film?

The German-born, English-raised Dominic Monaghan vaulted to stardom as Merry in the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy and then secured the iconic spot of Charlie on television fantasy thriller "Lost," so sizing down to the tiny-budget Slamdance film "I Sell the Dead" is an interesting choice.

"I am attracted to good scripts," Monaghan told the Deseret News. "It is a fun caper, and it tickled me."

Co-star Larry Fessenden acted as producer on the film and helped get the film made on a $1 million budget. He is no stranger to small horror films, having worked on a number of independent films going back two decades. In this film he plays Willie Grimes, who teaches Monaghan's Arthur Blake how to pillage the dead. He could probably teach a lot of actors and independent filmmakers how to make do with very little as well.

"I do lots of little horror films," said the actor who bears a resemblance to Jack Nicholson. "It turns out that this is the biggest of our little horror films."

The film may or may not see wide release, but it seemed to amply entertain the audience in Park City Friday night and looks like a professional film from the opening credits. With "names" like Monaghan and Hellboy himself, Ron Perlman, attached, the film stands a decent chance of at least an art-house release.

"We really focused on getting it made, but we do hope it gets out there."

Monaghan had watched the film previously with his "mom and dad and brother," but Friday was the first chance most of the cast had to watch it with an audience. The screening room in the Treasure Mountain Inn was standing room only. For now it will continue to play on the festival circuit.

Writer and director Glen McQuaid's connection with Fessenden helped get the film made in and around New York City, which is not easy to imagine for a 1800s period piece. So far, he has loved the experience of Slamdance.

"It is amazing, unbelievable, incredible and invigorating," he said.

Monaghan was glad to be part of the Utah festival experience, his first visit to the state but not the first project of his to land at Slamdance. In 2005 he narrated a fan-drive cinematic love letter to all things J.R.R. Tolkien called "Ringers: Lord of the Fans." The film prompted viewers to camp out overnight in subzero temperatures for tickets and wear costumes inspired by the characters of Middle-earth, chronicled in the Deseret News.