Organizers of the Montreal World Film Festival announced Monday that the $5-million US film Karla will be screened at this year's event, which runs from Aug. 26 through Sept. 5.
Produced by Michael D. Sellers of Hollywood-based True Crime Productions, the film was formerly known by the name Deadly, and stars Laura Prepon from That '70s Show as Homolka. Actor Misha Collins, who has appeared in TV's 24 and in the film Girl Interrupted, stars as Bernardo.
The film shows "an extreme close-up of Karla Homolka and her role as half of Canada's most infamous couple," the festival said in a statement. "How could a woman be so much in love with a man that she became an accomplice in a series of horrific murders?"
Publicity still of Collins and Prepon as Bernardo and Homolka. (True Crime Productions, Quantum Entertainment).
Organizers noted that notorious criminals ranging from Adolf Hitler to serial killer Aileen Wuornos have been the subject of films, with a portrayal of the latter even netting actress Charlize Theron an Oscar.
"In order to protect the victims and their families," the names and appearances of Bernardo and Homolka's victims have been changed, organizers said. The statement also stressed that the screenplay draws from the information known to all Canadians. "In crafting their film, the scriptwriter and director based themselves on facts that were reported by the Canadian media."
- RELATED STORY: Lawyer wants advance look at Homolka movie
In March, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said he wouldn't see the film and called on Ontarians to boycott it if it was distributed in the province. Tim Danson, the lawyer representing the families of slain teenagers Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy, had sought to preview the movie to decide whether to prevent its release.
- INDEPTH: Bernardo/Homolka timeline
In 1993, Homolka agreed to testify against her husband and in exchange was sentenced to a term of 12 years in prison for her role in the murders of Mahaffy and French. She was released from a Montreal-area prison on July 4 and has reportedly been living on the island of Montreal.
In 1995, Bernardo was declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to life in prison.
- RELATED STORY: Full steam ahead for Montreal World Film Fest
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