‘Tenebrous’ producer Phil Melfi dies at 38

Phil Melfi proudly shows an issue of the Standard that prominently features ‘Tenebrous’ coverage on the front page.

Local resident Phil Melfi, the man responsible for filming the movie ‘Tenebrous’ in Warren County, died of heart failure yesterday. He was 38.

According to his fianc??e, Jackie Argo, Mr. Melfi suffered a massive heart attack Oct. 13 that required a seven-bypass surgery. He was discharged from St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville on Oct. 31.

Argo says he was home less than an hour when he collapsed on the floor. His heart had stopped. Although he regained a pulse at River Park Hospital, his brain was severely damaged due to lack of oxygen. He was taken off life support yesterday and died a few hours later.

‘It’s so shocking because he was so full of life and such a good man,’ said Argo. ‘He had big plans. He loved McMinnville and he wanted to film more movies here. He even had a contract to film another movie here when he had his heart attack.’

Mr. Melfi moved to Warren County two years ago and fell in love with the community. His 11-year-old daughter, Taylor Melfi, was a student at Morrison. She will be moving to Los Angeles to live with relatives.

Mr. Melfi moved to the area to escape the big-city life and it was his desire to make McMinnville a popular place to film movies due to its natural beauty. ‘Tenebrous’ was filmed here in late May and early June and featured such stars as Costas and Louis Mandylor, Brad Thornton and James Marshall.

According to Argo, ‘Tenebrous’ production is nearly complete. A trailer is currently available for viewing on the Internet and appears well done. The plan is to release the film early next year.

‘He was an honest man who treated me like a brother and he gave me a good break by letting me be in his movie,’ said local resident Gordon Woodlee, who appeared in two ‘Tenebrous’ scenes. ‘The movie went beyond my expectations. It was all anybody talked about while they were filming it. There was supposed to be another film shot here and I hope that still goes through.’

Argo said the production of ‘Tenebrous’ will continue on to completion, even in the absence of Mr. Melfi.

‘There’s still going to be a premiere and it’s still going to be released,’ said Argo. ‘Phil would want us to celebrate his life, not mourn his death. I was hoping for a miracle story but the doctors said that was not going to happen.’

Arrangements for Mr. Melfi will be held at McMinnville Funeral Home. Arrangements were not finalized last night.