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 tinseltown: deadly
This week, Hollywood cashes in. When 2002’s Dahmer, a true-crime pic about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer made for $250,000, took in over $1.5 million, producer Michael Sellers took notice. When a 2003 film about serial killer and clown-art creator John Wayne Gacy did high video sales, Sellers and his production partner began looking around for a true crime story of their own. So they decided to make a film about Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo, a couple of sexual predators from Ontario, whose rape and killing of two teenagers outraged the entire country. Sellers’ film, Deadly, stars Laura Prepon - better known as Donna from That 70s Show - and takes some of its scenes from graphic court testimony.The thought of Canadians being up in arms is usually just a little comedic, but in this case it’s not difficult to understand. In the Ontario area especially, residents are appalled that the two victims’ tortured final hours might be recreated on film. On the face of it, Sellers has been sympathetic, offering to give the victims’ lawyer an advance screening of the film, and repeatedly proclaimed his sympathy. The film’s website even sets itself up as a sort of public service announcement, with the statement: “One of the most important messages that Deadly carries is that there are predators, even in the quietest, most unlikely places. Enhancing public awareness of the dangers posed by people like Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka is a specific goal of the production.” But filthy lucre, it seems, is still Sellers’ real “specific goal”. As Canada braces itself for Homolka’s release from prison this summer, many are decrying the film, worried that it portrays Homolka herself as a victim rather than a criminal. Sellers couldn’t be happier. In a recent leaked email he says: “We've got the Premier of Ontario publicly urging people to boycott it, and the lawyer of the victims’ families demanding an advance screening, and various groups protesting, as well as a number of columnists taking our side… before we're even starting to attempt generating any publicity on our own.” He added, “I'm thinking some of you might see this as a business angle or have some advice for us on how to manage and, ultimately, capitalize on this bonanza of publicity.” He’s been quoted as projecting earnings of up to $50 million in US ticket sales and $100 million total. At the moment, though, the film will be lucky to see the inside of a theatre - it still hasn’t found a distributor.
Jade Chang
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