August 17, 2006
The Body of Canadian Icons
So I’m nearly blind because I haven’t blinked for about three minutes of shock. I was doing some reading on Karla Homolka because of the creepy Tim Horton’s statement she made during that interview with Radio-Canada (the first thing she wanted to do when released from prison was have a Timmy Ho’s Iced Cappuccino etc., etc.—Karla and Kandahar?! Wow, guys, sure hope to see all that macabre alliteration and bloodshed in upcoming campaigns depicting your shiny thrown as Canadian Fast Food Iconoclasts: RRRRROOLLL UP THE LIMBS TO WIN! One more "K" and you'll have to give free shares to The Clan) and eventually found out that this coming fall of 2006 will bring the release of KARLA, THE MOVIE (though it was already partially released in eastern Canada this past January--?) , with Laura Prepon from That 70’s Show as Karla. The families of the victims apparently had a private screening of the film and had no objection to its release. Now, my heart's still racing too fast to provide any sort of adequate commentary or opinion on this film, but I will say that its release and take on the crimes seems to rely heavily on the good old marketing virtues of "we're not exploiting" we're “instilling public awareness” of sexual offenders and “not glorifying the lives of the criminals,” etc. While that’s all well and good and obviously unavoidable marketing strategy (Ontario Premier wanted a boycott issued on the film), what about the fact that this will no doubt be one of the most controversial films of the year and as a result will probably make an obscene amount of money at the box office, and will no doubt subsequently go on to become a cult classic at video stores across the nation? Supposed good intentions or not, are we not still egregiously capitalizing on the deaths of Tammy, Leslie, Kristen, “Jane Doe,” and possibly other girls? Isn’t that the bottom line? Hasn’t this been sensationalized enough? Or is this film a good thing? I don’t know--this film has been the recipient of many a "Official Selection" at film festivals type of accolade. I’m more than a bit disturbed and wouldn’t be able to hold food down right now if I tried. But that may change later. Anyway. The film’s website has a trailer. You should watch it as I’d really like any sort of opinion you may have on this. Let's start with the slogan on the poster above, "Evil has a beautiful face." Not to get all Women's Studies on you, but is that some sort of insinuation of Karla's "femme fatal" status? Is this film's catch phrase attempting to sell the film on Karla's . . .sexiness??? "Instilling public awareness" of her hot blondness?? Oh no, "not glorifying" at all. I just threw up in my mouth. But that may be because I don't exactly find her a turn on, sorry* to disappoint those with certain fetishes for blond serial rapists. Under the "News Updates" section of the website, news of the film's progress, press and release are on the lefthand side, while news of Paul and Karla runs on the right. The top of these two columns houses the red letter(ed) phrase, "When is a movie more than a movie?" Holy fucking god. If we give her her fucking Iced Cap' to suck down will she disappear** already?
*that wasn't a real apology.
**I realize the existence of this post isn't helping to deter the media propagation and is therefore in a way defeating me.
Ah, and so the sociology part of me comes out.
I personally, read Crime Library online quite often because I'm always curous WHY some of these people commit the crimes they do. Despite the fact I find criminology interesting, I have no desire to see this movie. I don't consider it art, I consider it crap, made to make money and exploit the victims even further. If the producers were really set on “instilling public awareness they could have made a documentary, or at the VERY LEAST donated the money made from the film to a "stop violence against women cause".
That quote you mentioned "Evil has a beautiful face." is sooo interesting, just for the mere fact it's very difficult for society to view women, especially 'beautiful' women, as cold blooded killers. Arn't women supposted to be nurturing? Caring? Warm? How can someone so 'beautiful' commit such a crime? Stat's constantly that people trust others that are conventually attractive over those who are not so maybe that's why the public was in such shock.
There will always be odd people that have a sick atraction to serial killers, I'm sure Karla had many letters sent to her in prisonfrom men, as did Scott Peterson from many women.
The public love sensationalism, though I don't know many people who actually want to see this movie... I don't think it will be doing victims of violence any favours.
Ahhh I have so many opinions on this, but I'm starting to ramble
Posted by: Steph at August 17, 2006 9:43 PMregarding the very top of the poster: palm springs has a film festival?
i would agree with above comment: this film is reprehensible. however... perhaps we should be viewing this as symptomatic -- the next logical step of reality tv... live killings are sure to follow; battle royal, only hosted by ryan seacrest. frothy crest of the sea.
Posted by: graemealexxx at August 17, 2006 11:15 PMAs for live killings, it's been done (in the mid-80's) by that zombie writer, Brett Easton Ellis, in Less Than Zero. The ultimate thrill, to fuck and duck out of life.
As long as it's not you.
Dick Cheney
Posted by: Lipoti at August 18, 2006 12:20 AMSteph,
the funny thing is, I stumbled upon this after trying to find out if Karla's statement actually had any effect on tim horton's business in terms of sales, and it's like a freaking bog that you get sucked into--until you reach the film and do a dead stop. now. I don't understand how the actors in this movie could be "surprised" by the public reaction to their film in Canada (they mentioned that in a couple of the interviews I read later—“wow, didn’t see THAT coming!”). I mean, the mere thought of this woman makes most Canadians feel like they've just slept in rat shit for the past week and have to power clean themselves--let alone knowing she's in a way being honored with a film about her grotesque deviance and, as more than a few of the critics go on to say is even "portrayed as a victim" by the director's and screenwriter’s eyes. Some of the reviews discuss the controversy then finish up the article by mutely throwing in something or other about “the freedom of self expression” and how it should be preserved. Right. I am probably one of the more fanatic proponents of the freedom to self expression, falling into a rage at the mere thought of censorship anything, but here’s the thing: people have died—recently—they’ve died horrible, gruesome, stomach turning deaths and you GIVE US THAT MONOTONE GIANT FROM THAT 70s SHOW TO DEPICT THE EVENTS???? Thank you, Hollywood for your sensitivity and obvious lack of any sort of capitalization on our tragedy, you assfucks. If that’s the “freedom of self expression” that should be preserved then count me in on the rock throwing, sign holding protestors. When your freedom of self expression starts to encroach on the rights of others than it should no longer be upheld to those artistic virtues which hold final products away from the hands of boycott, et al.
This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to boycott a film. Well, the first time I’ve ever wanted to boycott an artistic anything—book, album, etc.
That’s funny. I was thinking of that—what you mentioned about how if they really cared they would donate at least a part of their proceeds from the film to a “women in need” cause. You’d think thay would have thought of that already—it only makes sense as PR. Just another example of greed.
Mom, Dad, I’m apply to law school.
Oh god I’m way too angry about this.
G.Ale,
apparently, so does Cleveland--which, as we all know, is in OHIO. So I suppose I shouldn't put too much clout into the supposed "accolades" this film has received. Montreal film festival--they'll take anything dark and slimy, hold it up and proclaim it "arrttee." “Look, our way of life is being portrayed in holllyywooodd-take that, English Canada! Karla lives here now. we'll set her loose on you if you try to order in our restaurants in dirty English tongue." Gimme five. Gimme: two seagull bones. Give me a break, frenchies.
On a more pleasant, less bigoty note: let’s apply for a grant to pull apart and study the contents of Seacrest’s brain. I’m sure we’d find the answer to all our problems therein. Then we could graph it down, bitches.
Dick Cheney,
yr. a bit late on the draw for my summer reading recommendations. where oh where were these suggestions two months ago . . .? i need to read more a) pulp b) crime.
Posted by: caroline at August 18, 2006 1:27 PM