Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles
Encyclopedia
Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles, directed by Jon Foy, is an 2011 independent documentary film
about the Toynbee tile
phenomenon. The film was selected for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival
in the U.S. Documentary category, and Foy won the category's Directing Award.
of streets in about two dozen major cities in the United States
and four South America
n capitals. Since the 1980s, several hundred tiles have been discovered. They are generally about the size of an American license plate and contain some variation on the following inscription:
, Jon Foy, Colin Smith, and Steve Weinik began work on the film in 2005, seeking to find the source of the tiles and the meaning of the message.
In the course of the film, evidence is presented that a reclusive Philadelphia resident, Severino “Sevy” Verna, placed the tiles through a hole in the floor of his car while broadcasting a message via short wave radio about his theories. Previous research had identified a Philadelphia carpenter, James Morasco, as the likely placer of the tiles. The filmmakers believe the name was an alias used by Verna.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
about the Toynbee tile
Toynbee tiles
The Toynbee tiles are messages of mysterious origin found embedded in asphalt of streets in about two dozen major cities in the United States and four South American capitals. Since the 1980s, several hundred tiles have been discovered. They are generally about the size of an American license...
phenomenon. The film was selected for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
in the U.S. Documentary category, and Foy won the category's Directing Award.
Toynbee tiles
Toynbee tiles are linoleum tiles of unknown origin found embedded in the asphaltAsphalt concrete
Asphalt concrete is a composite material commonly used in construction projects such as road surfaces, airports and parking lots. It consists of asphalt and mineral aggregate mixed together, then laid down in layers and compacted...
of streets in about two dozen major cities in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and four South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n capitals. Since the 1980s, several hundred tiles have been discovered. They are generally about the size of an American license plate and contain some variation on the following inscription:
TOYNBEE IDEA
IN Kubrick's 2001
RESURRECT DEAD
ON PLANET JUPITER.
The film
Philadelphia residents Justin DuerrJustin Duerr
Justin Duerr is a self taught artist, musician, and writer in the Philadelphia underground art and music scene. -Film:...
, Jon Foy, Colin Smith, and Steve Weinik began work on the film in 2005, seeking to find the source of the tiles and the meaning of the message.
In the course of the film, evidence is presented that a reclusive Philadelphia resident, Severino “Sevy” Verna, placed the tiles through a hole in the floor of his car while broadcasting a message via short wave radio about his theories. Previous research had identified a Philadelphia carpenter, James Morasco, as the likely placer of the tiles. The filmmakers believe the name was an alias used by Verna.