DEDICATION – Selina Sondermann

DEDICATION first appeared in the June 1988 anthology, Dark Visions. It was reprinted in Stephen King’s collection of short stories, NIGHTMARES & DREAMSCAPES. This story is about a Black woman who has left a very violent and senseless relationship, who goes to work at an exclusive hotel as a maid. It’s there a repeat guest, an alcoholic, but talented writer stays to do his writing. The maid finds him annoying and disgusting, yet a slow amicable relationship begins.

However, the maid has her own agenda, a child. After the previous failed relationship, she decides to go to someone who might be of help. A black magic spell is cast, and she can now fulfill her ultimate desire. She chooses the writer as the father , but the circumstances surrounding the situation, well let’s just say, are highly unusual. Considered the most grotesquely shocking of all of Stephen King’s works, this film tells this story in an enjoyable and touching way. The story is filmed and set in Berlin, instead of the original setting of New York, and a few small changes were made, but that’s good because Selina’s vision of DEDICATION is well told, and is visually stunning in regards to its location.

The camera angles, and lighting lend to the quality of this film. The actors did a fine job of depicting the characters, and I found this to be one of my favorite Dollar Baby films so far, as it is very close to seeing a big budget film, however financed by means of a more conservative independent budget. I believe Selina has a very bright future in filmmaking, and this film proves her talents are outstanding.

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