“Murder on Middle Beach… pays careful attention to complex human behavior, all viewed through the humility of its filmmaker.”
-Vanity Fair
“The four episodes that comprise “Murder on Middle Beach” are a tightly-wound compendium of information, with Hamburg leaving no stone unturned.”
-IndieWire
“Murder on Middle Beach is one of the most intense and emotional true-crime docuseries ever made.”
-Globe and Mail
“The emotional foundation of a torn-apart family is what strengthens Murder on Middle Beach but it's also a fascinating mystery without the personal touch.”
-RogerEbert.com
Director | Executive Producer | Subject
Murder on Middle Beach (HBO Original Series)
Murder on Middle Beach, a four-part documentary series directed by first-time filmmaker Madison Hamburg, examines Hamburg’s complicated journey to solve an unspeakable crime and absolve the people he loves while seeking out answers within his own fractured family and community.
The series revolves around the case of Barbara Hamburg, Madison’s mother, who was brutally murdered on March 3, 2010 near her home in the upper-middle class enclave of Madison, Connecticut. Investigators speculated this was a crime of passion, but without sufficient evidence, the case grew cold.
Over the course of eight years, Hamburg interviewed his family members and many others to learn more about his mother’s life and gather evidence in hopes of solving her murder. Along the way, he uncovers a web of familial and local secrets, connections to shadowy figures, and years-old resentments in his deceptively serene hometown.
Murder on Middle Beach is produced by Jigsaw Productions, Armian Pictures and Blue Days Films. Directed by Madison Hamburg; executive producers, Ron Nyswaner, Neda Armian, Toby Oppenheimer, Madison Hamburg, Stacey Offman, Richard Perello; co-executive producer, Evan Lerner; supervising producer, Whitney Johnson; producer, Solomon Petchenik.
“One true crime docuseries I’d highly recommend is HBO’s Murder on Middle Beach, following a young man’s fight to solve his mother’s mysterious murder.”
-The Daily Beast
“The series brought Beach’s perplexing murder in the yard of her affluent Connecticut home back into the spotlight, but Hamburg wanted to focus on the other victims — the entire Hamburg/Beach family — as he sought to exonerate his sister, his aunt and others identified as “persons of interest” by the local police department.”
-LA Times
“It doesn't have a tidy ending, but grief rarely does. Filmmakers could learn a lot from how Madison Hamburg focuses on the emotional ripple effects of crime, and the very human toll that loss takes on a family and community.”
-Salon
Writer | Director | Co-Producer | Co-Editor
SOUTHSOUTHWEST (Independent Short Film)
Introverted, photo enthusiast, tormented by local bullies, is faced with a test of courage when his ailing grandfather's camera is stolen and placed at the top of a fire tower.
Official Selection of the Savannah Film Festival
Official Selection Palm Beach Film Festival
Official Selection Raindance Film Festival
Official Selection Cannes Short Film Corner
Winner of "Silver Screen Award " and "Best SCAD Film Award" at the Savannah Film Festival
Winner of Best Director & Best Cinematography at SCAD Senior Showcase. 30+ crew. 100+ backers via kickstarter.