"Karla"(Movie)News
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Karla: Bringing Back the Criminal Barbie Wednesday April 26, 2006 Digital Journal — Canada’s most controversial film is scary. Not in an Exorcist kind of way but in an I-can’t-believe-this-actually-happened way.
Killer Karla Hits Big Screen From Real Life to Reel Life Thursday April 20th,2006 May 1st Issue "The Globe" That 70's star Laura Prepon is hitting the big screen as Canada's hottest coldblooded killer
Cleveland Film Festival Radio Interview Tuesday April 18th, 2006
KARLA Official Selection Fantasy Filmfest Thursday 4/6/06 From Munich to Berlin the German Fantasy Film Festival is the largest Genre Festival for Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction, worldwide. The Festival is a Nationwide event in Germany and begins July 18, 2006
Karla Official Selection of 2006 Palm Beach International Film Festival Thursday, March 09, 2006
Karla travels to Santa Barbara and Cleveland Festivals Monday February 27, 2006 Still playing in Canadian theaters (6th consecutive week), "Karla" finishes the Santa Barbara Film festival with a (unscheduled) 3rd screening and gets ready for The Cleveland International Film Festival March 17th. Get edited CIFF guide and schedule here or full version here.
Film about killers caused outrage in Canada Friday February 10th, 2006 You can't help but marvel at the wickedness the performers pack into their roles, but you can't help but be reminded that even pretty people do pretty awful things.
Karla star encounters a hostile audience Thursday, February 2, 2006 “After I read the screenplay, I went on-line and started finding out more about the case,” Collins continues. “Then I had a long meeting with Joel Bender and the producer, Michael Sellers, to make sure that we weren’t making a movie just for the shock value.…To get into this area, you have to see some things in yourself that are not very pleasant to look at. And if you are not willing to look at them, then it’s not really worth doing, is it?”
Karla movie gives the competition a run Thursday January 26th, 2006 The real-life Homolka, who was released from prison last year after serving out a plea-bargain sentence, was most recently seen in Montreal.
Bernardo lead defends role Tuesday, January 17th, 2006 In Toronto yesterday to promote the upcoming film (it debuts Friday) about one of Canada's most notorious rapists and murderers, Collins says he prepared for the role by pulling up media clippings on line and then watching countless serial-killer films. "Anthony Hopkins's character in Silence of the Lambs particularly struck me," he says. "His character just seemed so remorseless and that was my impression of Paul too. Knowing [these crimes] were all based on truth made it that much more difficult."
Movie Review: Karla is a Terrifying Portrayal of Evil Monday, January 16th, 2006 What makes this film a cut above the everyday murder flick is Prepon’s incredible portrayal of Homolka............Not to be overshadowed, Collins is a very strong Bernardo who jumps from fury to neediness in a matter of seconds, realistically portraying an emotionally unstable murderer.
Movie gave her 'nightmares' Actress plays murder victim in Homolka film Monday, January 16th, 2006 It was months after filming wrapped on Karla before Sarah Foret stopped having nightmares.
Portrayal chills actor Monday, January 16th, 2006 Canadians aren't the only ones repulsed by Paul Bernardo. Playing the rapist-killer in the terrifying Hollywood film Karla was the most traumatic experience of actor Misha Collins' life.
Victims renamed as 'a courtesy' Sunday, Ja15th, 2006 LOS ANGELES -- The names of two of the teenaged victims depicted in the true-life movie Karla were changed out of respect for their families, not out of legal obligation, according to filmmaker Michael Sellers.
Prison hasn't dulled Bernardo's charm Friday, January 13th, 2006 Bernardo's devil-in-disguise good looks and manipulative charm will be brought to life next Friday, when the movie Karla comes to 100 silver screens across Canada
Karla showings defended Monday August 15th, 2005 NEW YORK -- The Canadian film distribution community is sharply dividing over Karla, as the controversial drama about Karla Homolka nears completion and the film's Los Angeles-based producer steps up his attempts to find a route to a Canadian audience in the wake of the film's first positive review.
Xtreme Entrepreneurs Supports Michael D. Sellers' Attempts To Screen "Karla" In Canada Sunday August 14th,2004 Michael Sellers did not commit the crimes, nor is he saying how wonderful these crimes are. He is telling a compelling story no different than when my uncle, Marvin Weinstein, had a book published after the gruesome murder of his daughter by the hands of two Stanley Steemer employees.
Private screening eyed for Karla film Saturday August 13th, 2005 The mob is not interested in hearing what Sellers has to say, but they might be surprised if they did. In conversation, Sellers emerges as articulate and extremely serious.
A First Look at Karla An exclusive review of the contentious film Friday August 12th, 2005 Karla will almost certainly find a significant audience.
'Karla' leaves unanswered questions Friday August 12th,2005 Karla, a controversial new film about serial killers Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo, implies Homolka had ample opportunity to leave her husband, but leaves open the key question – which of the two prompted the couple's crimes?
The right to avoid Homolka should be mine Wednesday, August 10, 2005 I would be more than happy never to hear another word about the crimes committed by Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka, but if it's all the same to Air Canada, I would rather make that decision for myself.
Film on Karla Homolka to screen in Canada Tuesday, August 9, 2005 Toronto -- Canadians may yet get a chance to see Karla, a controversial American film based on the infamous sex crimes of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka that was pulled from the Montreal World Film Festival last week.
Killer Biopic Stirs Controversy in Canada Friday August 5th, 2005 Will politicians ever learn? If you don't want people to go see a movie, leave it alone. Instead, there are now over 300 articles on Google News, providing hundreds of free column inches -- the dream of every indie movie marketer. Right now, it looks like the producers are working the "freedom of artistic expression" and "no one's dragging you to see this" PR angles, which are straight out of the ol' Miramax playbook.
Karla Homolka and the Montreal World Film Festival Friday August 5th, 2005 And while you have to respect the feelings of those close to the murder victims, I have a hard time buying into the notion that their feelings must reign supreme over all else. Admitting that (a) the wounds are particularly fresh and raw given Homolka’s very recent release from prison and (b) few of these films debuted at film festivals that relied so heavily upon a single corporate sponsor as the Mtl festival apparently does, you still hafta wonder how many dozens of movies have been made about real-life villainy at least as vile as that of Homolka and Bernardo? And how many millions of dollars have been made off of them? And why wasn’t there a greater hue and cry about those films? What makes Karla so special?
Bad guys can turn into good films Friday August 5th, 2005 The Montreal Film Festival erred in caving into an advertiser and scrapping a showing of the new Karla Homolka film.
Unholy Grit-CBC alliance Friday August 5th 2005 Normally, I support private funding over making a trip to the government trough. However, an incident in Montreal has me reconsidering my position.
Karla producer will fight for film Friday August 5th, 2005 TORONTO -- The producer of a film about notorious killers Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo vowed yesterday to step up his efforts to have the movie screened in Canada, one day after the cancellation of a scheduled screening in Montreal.
Producer of Homolka film vowing to step up effort to have it shown in Canada Thursday August 4th, 2005 "It's attracting international attention."
Montreal film festival pulls Homolka film Thursday August 4th, 2005 Montreal — Bowing to sponsors such as Air Canada, the Montreal World Film Festival has dropped plans to play host to the premiere of the Hollywood movie about sex killers Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo.
NBC SHOW: Dateline Sunday July 31, 2005 DATELINE FOLLOW-UP (Ann Curry)
Blood Lust Cinema's fascination with murderers July 29th, 2005 The making of a Karla Homolka biopic was always a matter of when, not if. Homolka and her ex-husband Paul Bernardo have already inspired several true-crime books, a novel, a play and at least two episodes in the Law & Order franchise, as well as hundreds of pages of newsprint and hours of television coverage. The controversy over the upcoming premiere of Karla (formerly titled Deadly) at the Montreal Film Festival — the city where a newly free Homolka is believed to be residing — was just as inevitable.
REUTERS Montreal fest makes killing with crime saga Tuesday July 26th 2005 The Montreal World Film Festival (Aug. 26-Sept. 5), which faces competition from the upstart New Montreal FilmFest, defended its screening of the film in a statement, arguing that "notorious criminals" from Adolf Hitler to the Boston Strangler had been portrayed in film."Some of the actors have even won Oscars for their performances in these films, most notably Charlize Theron in the role of the criminal Aileen Wuornos in 'Monster,"' the festival said.
Reality TV ''70s Show' star Laura Prepon to portray serial killer in 'Karla' UPI News Service, 07/26/2005 "That '70s Show" star Laura Prepon is known for her comedic side but the Montreal Film Festival is about to see her play the opposite of Donna.
VIDEO Montreal film fest to screen Homolka film 7/25/05 The American film, which is now called Karla instead of its previous title, Deadly, will be screened in late August.
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate distribution - Monday, July 25th, 2005 Controversial film on Karla Homolka to have World Premiere at WFF
Homolka movie to debut at Montreal Film Fest July 25th 2005
Prime-time killers July 21, 2005 How many would watch?
Court TV, Monday July 18th, 2005
'Done Deal' Part Three' June 29, 2005
Homolka film release moved to fall Wednesday, May 25, 2005 A Hollywood film about schoolgirl killer Karla Homolka will likely be kept out of Canadian theatres until the fall.
"As I watch that news coverage coming out of (Canada), it's all Karla, all the time," Sellers said from his Los Angeles office. "I don't want to be a part of that circus, I don't think we should be. I don't think it's the right thing."
They have Jacko, we have Karly Kurls Tuesday May 10, 2005 News directors are cancelling reporters' vacations. Camera crews are on stand-by. Producers and editors are planning special coverage packages. It looks to be the hottest story of the summer: No, not a federal election but the release of Karla Homolka from prison eight weeks from today.
Producer says he's 'not comfortable' screening Homolka, Bernardo film in victims' communities Saturday May 07, 2005 HAMILTON - The makers of a film about Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to charity or to restrict screenings in Ontario.
Transcript from TV Show CANADA AM with "Deadly" Producer, Michael Sellers 5/06/2005 THOMSON: Let me jump right in and ask you, why did you choose this particular story? Of all stories that are out there, both good and terrible, why choose this one?
A Current Affair (Fox TV) The Perfect Couple
Trailer For "Deadly": The Bernardo/Homolka Story (Forum) May 6th, 2005 A trailer has appeared online for the movie "Deadly" starring Misha Collins (24) and Laura Prepon (That 70's Show). While it looks like just another generic serial killer movie, it is actually a very controversial film in Canada as it retells the story of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka...
Homolka's choice of Montreal raises new concerns Friday, May 06, 2005 News that convicted killer Karla Homolka may plan to live in Quebec after her release from jail this summer has raised concerns among residents in a Montreal neighbourhood.
The Barbie And Ken Of Serial Killers To Be Chronicled In Deadly Wednesday May,4th 2005 The life and crimes of Canada’s worst serial killing couple, Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo will be chronicled and debut in the United States later this year after likely hitting the Canadian cinemas first. The Hollywood film entitled Deadly will not come without controversy.
Homolka film producer offers preview May 3, 2005 TORONTO (CP) - An exclusive viewing of a Hollywood film chronicling the depraved crimes of Karla Homolka is being offered to interested parties in Toronto in advance of a potential Canadian summer release. The controversial film Deadly could come to Canada just as the schoolgirl killer is released from prison, a move motivated in large part by sensational media coverage negating the need for a long publicity campaign.
Attention News Editors: Monday, May 2, 2005 See it first on Global News with Leslie Roberts: Exclusive scenes from "Deadly", the controversial film about Karla Homolka's life with Paul Bernardo. (Canada NewsWire Group is the nation’s number one resource for time-critical news and information from more than 10,000 sources coast to coast and around the world.)
Bernardo movie exclusive
Monday, May 2, 2005 -- It's the film everyone's been talking about Deadly, the story of Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo is set to hit theatres this fall. But tonight - for the first time - we'll show you clips from the film that's stirring up controversy across the nation in an exclusive report from Global's Sean O'Shea. We warn you that some of the images and language in this report are disturbing.
Painful truth hard to take 4/11/05 An ill-fated union of lovers. The macabre musings of seemingly ordinary suburban folk. Grisly murders that shock a nation. Storylines like these populate Canadian cinemas nightly -- that's entertainment.
Dalton doesn't go to the movies 3/31/05 This is Ontario where we are blessed with a premier and a provincial government that, when not out and out lying to their constituents are attempting to control their every move, thought and action.
Dalton McGuinty, at the movies 3/28/05 Let's stop here for a second. This is the kind of unutterably stupid statement a premier can get away with, but a critic can't. Making a movie about a terrible tragedy isn't "to capitalize" on it. It's simply to make a movie. And if it were unfortunate to make a movie about a terrible tragedy, many movies would be unfortunate. Titanic would be unfortunate, and so would be Hiroshima Mon Amour.
Right Honourable Movie Critics 3/28/05 Personally, I had no idea anyone was making a film about the Bernardo case until Dalton McGuinty told me - and as sure as the day follows the night, what would otherwise be a forgettable slice of direct-to-DVD dreck will become essential viewing when politicians get angry about it.
Families want to see Bernardo film 3/23/05 "We have very serious concerns about the film because transcripts (the producers) have... include what went on inside the house (and) what was on the videotapes and it's very disturbing information," said Tim Danson.
MONTEREYMEDIA.COM - INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILMS - DVD / VHS
'Karla' gets picked up by Christal Wednesday, January 11th, 2006 Canadian distributor Christal Films has picked up local rights to murder pic "Karla" and is rushing it on to 100 screens Jan. 20.
Controversial Homolka film to be released in French and English on Jan. 20 Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 Montreal-based Christal Films said Karla will open in 100 theatres across the country, with a dubbed-in-French version to be shown in Quebec.
Canadian distributors to release Homolka film Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 Montreal-based distribution house Christal Films announced in a statement early Tuesday that the film will open in 100 theatres across the country on Jan. 20.
Karla opens next week Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 A Montreal-based company has agreed to distribute a controversial feature film about convicted teen-killer Karla Homolka in theatres across Canada, opening on Jan. 20.
Christal Films confirmed yesterday that it has struck a deal with Quantum Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based producers of Karla, to carry the 104-minute film.
Killer Karla Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 see global coverage, see scenes from the movie
Homolka film sold in Europe, producer says Thursday December 8th, 2005 "Our distributor in Germany, for instance, is the same company that did Monster (Charlize Theron's Oscar-winning turn as serial killer Aileen Wuornos)," said Michael Sellers of Hollywood-based Quantum Entertainment. "Our film has the same kind of attributes as a film like Monster. And there has been a positive reaction particularly to Laura's performance as Homolka."
Homolka film spurs global interest Wednesday December 7th, 2005 movie about Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo's schoolgirl-killing spree -- has apparently only whetted the appetite of European distributors, who are snapping the movie up......
When is a Movie More than a Movie?
Update From The Producer November 22nd 2005 We are pleased to announce that as of November 1, 2005, KARLA is complete and Quantum Entertainment is now in the process of lining up subdistributors in countries around the world. This is a process that will continue for a number of months. The following represent the first group of foreign subdistributors: _
Film Ready For Release Saturday October 15th, 2005 A hollywood film about sex offenders Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo is a step closer to making to theatres according to a Canadian Press story.
No Karla flick fight Laws not broken in film about schoolgirl killer, lawyer says Thursday October 13th, 2005 Tim Danson said he watched Michael Sellers movie -- originally called Deadly but renamed Karla -- in a Toronto hotel room two weeks ago and the movie meets legal requirements.
Victims' families won't block Homolka film release Thursday, October 13th, 2005 Sellers believes other changes made to the film, including a revamped epilogue containing actual quotes from a psychiatric evaluation of Homolka, were important ones to make.
"It helps remind the audience not to be excessively sympathetic here," he said. "Yes, she was brutalized (by Bernardo) but that did not, in the view of the psychiatrist, excuse her actions."
Families won't block Karla film: lawyer Wednesday, October 12, 2005 The families of Karla Homolka's victims will not fight the release of a Hollywood movie chronicling the depraved crimes of this country's most notorious female offender, their lawyer said Wednesday.
VIEW MAGAZINE WHEN IS A MOVIE MORE THAN A MOVIE? August 18th-24th 2005
THE FILMMAKERS BEHIND KARLA STAND BY WHAT’S SHAPING UP TO BE THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL MOVIE OF THE YEAR "What I wanted to capture was as much of the built–in attraction and the built–in repulsion that Paul and Karla felt for each other,” explains Karla director Joel Bender. “In the structure of the film, we find people drawn to each other out of a common goal, while in the end they are really out to destroy each other. That, to me, is the story.” From what Sellers describes, the film begins eight years into Homolka’s 12–year sentence, in the midst of a December 2000 psychiatric interview with a doctor who is reviewing her for possible parole. As this meeting progresses, Homolka attempts to spin the story her way, until the psychiatrist forces her to admit to things she doesn’t want to admit to, and makes her go deeper into a story that she doesn’t want to tell.
Watching Karla: It's not flash and trash Wednesday August 17th, 2005 SIMON HOUPT nabs an unfinished copy of the controversial movie and finds it sombre, restrained even.
Distributing Karla Tuesday August 16th, 2005 The idea that Canadian film distributors keep a close eye on the moral failings of incoming movies might seem quaintly reassuring, if it were true. But it doesn't take more than a few minutes watching trailers at the local multiplex to know that the film-distribution community generally adopts a hands-off policy when it comes to deciding what's good for us.
So it's both strange and worrying when ThinkFilm's Jeff Sackman, who in his time has aided and abetted ....