Karla
Short description
Based on true events, this crime drama follows the relationship between Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, a pair of notorious Canadian criminals. The story focuses on their collaboration in the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of three young girls, including Homolka's own sister. The narrative examines the dynamics of their partnership and looks at the psychological state of Homolka to determine if she was a victim of Bernardo or a willing accomplice in the killings.
The film was directed by Joel Bender, marking his third feature following Gas Pump Girls and Midnight Kiss. The screenplay was written by Bender along with Manette Beth Rosen and Michael D. Sellers. The movie stars Laura Prepon as Homolka and Misha Collins as Bernardo, with a supporting cast that includes Patrick Bauchau, Emilie Jacobs, Alex Boyd, and Tess Harper.
Produced by Quantum Entertainment with a budget of 5 million USD, the film has received a moderate reception from audiences. It holds a rating of 5.4/10 on IMDb based on 6,600 votes and an identical rating of 5.4/10 on TMDB from 116 votes.
What's left behind the scenes
- With the exception of Tammy, the names of all the victims were changed due to their age. However, the circumstances of their deaths are shown accurately.
- In reality, Karla Homolka and her husband and accomplice legally changed their surname to Till before their arrest, in honor of Martin Campbell’s thriller "The Defense Rests" (1988), in which the lead role was played by Kevin Bacon.
- For filming, the lead actress, Laura Prepon, had to dye her hair. As a result, her character appears with blonde hair in the two final seasons of the series “That '70s Show” (1998-2006).
- In March 2005, the lawyer representing the families of two murdered schoolgirls from Ontario demanded a preview of the film to determine whether to object to its release. A screening was organized for him and the families, after which they decided not to protest.
- The entire film was shot in the USA, with American actors, and was directed by Americans. Representatives of the Canadian film industry refused to have anything to do with the film.
- Canadian filmmaker Peter R. Simpson initially purchased the rights to adapt “Invisible Darkness,” one of two books written about Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo by writer Stephen Williams in 1994. Due to a sharply negative public reaction, he had to abandon all thoughts of adaptation.
- After the film's release, Misha Collins, who played Paul, stated that he regretted his involvement in the filming due to the extremely negative reaction of the Canadian public to the film and the crimes depicted in it. The actor now advises viewers not to see it.
- The film takes place in the late 1980s and early 1990s, yet Paul has a poster of the 1999 album “Make Yourself” by the American rock band Incubus.
- The film shows the border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the American state of New York running through the forest. In reality, the border between the American state of New York and the province of Quebec runs through the forest.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
