Of Dolls and Murder is a feature-length documentary film that examines mankind’s fascination with the hows and whys of human beings killing other human beings.

The title of the film refers to the “Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death” dollhouses created by Frances Glessner Lee to help detectives hone their investigative skills. Each diorama built by Lee depicts a real-life murder that detectives must use their powers of observation to determine the motives and methods of each killing.

In addition, the film goes on to explore the popular entertainment culture that thrives on murder, which has created what’s generally called the “CSI effect,” the belief of everyday citizens that all murders can be solved quickly by easy forensic evidence collection.

Cult filmmaker John Waters serves as the documentary’s narrator.

Of Dolls and Murder recently screened at the Moviate microcinema in Harrisburg, PA and will be shown on July 17 in Australia at the Revelation Perth International Film Festival.

Learn more about this documentary at its official website.