Karla (film)
| Karla | |
|---|---|
| File:DEADLYposter.jpg | |
| Directed by | Joel Bender Lynnette M. Myers (1st Ass't) |
| Written by | Joel Bender Manette Rosen Michael D. Sellers |
| Produced by | Marlon Parry & Michael D. Sellers |
| Starring | Laura Prepon Misha Collins |
| Cinematography | Charles Mills Brandon Trost |
| Edited by | Joel Bender |
| Music by | Shawn K. Clement |
| Distributed by | Quantum Entertainment |
Release date | 2006 |
Running time | 99 min. |
| Language | English |
Karla is a 2006 American motion picture drama and thriller. The film is based on the true story of two of Canada's most notorious and reviled serial killers, Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka in the 1990s.
The film was originally titled Deadly, but was renamed Karla before its release. The script is based on court transcriptions, interviews and video shot by Homolka and Bernardo.
The film has caused significant controversy in Canada, where the families of the victims, Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, have alleged that the film is exploiting the memory of their daughters. Politicians in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, including Attorney General Michael Bryant, have called for a boycott of the film, and one Canadian theatre chain, Cineplex Odeon, has already stated that it will show the film only in its major urban markets in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. The film was originally booked to debut during in 2005 Montreal World Film Festival, until protests by Air Canada [1] put an end to the idea.
Lawyer Tim Danson, who represents the French and Mahaffy families, had a private screening of the film in September with the families in attendance. The following month, he announced that the families would not oppose the film's Canadian release.
Primary cast
- Laura Prepon : Karla Homolka
- Misha Collins : Paul Bernardo
- Tess Harper : Molly Czehowicz
- Leonard Kelly-Young : Dan Czehowicz
- Cherilyn Hayres : Terry Czehowicz
- Kristin Swieconek : Victim #1 (Tammy Homolka)
- Sarah Foret : Victim #2 (Leslie Mahaffy)
- Tanya Lemelle : Victim #3 (Kristen French)
- Brandon Routh : small supporting role
- Karla Grauzas : small female supporting role
Trivia
- Laura Prepon had to dye her naturally red hair blonde for this film, resulting in her That '70s Show character Donna Pinciotti's change in hair color for the show's final two seasons.
- Jason Priestley was originally to play the role of Paul Bernardo, but quickly withdrew from the project as public outcry against the film developed.
References
- Canadian distributors to release Homolka film
- The Gazette, January 11, 2006
