Paul Bernardo/Carla Homolka film: Should it be released in Canada?

[someguy]

In case some people don't know about the Bernardo/Homolka case, here's an in-depth report on what these two have done

http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/notorious/bernardo/index_1.html?sect=1

Now a film is being made about the two killers and it's getting people upset. The court already said that the film cannot be made in Canada because it would be too hard for the victim's parents, but an American production company picked it up to be made. It will star Laura Prepon(Donna from That 70's Show)as Homolka along with some other stars(forget their names)and will be released in 2005.

Now I am wondering if Canada or Ontario should ban the film from being released due to the content. I think that it should be released since the film was bound to be made anyways sooner or later and that there are many other stories about murderers that have been adapted into movies.

I am assuming one of the following things will happen with the film in Canada

1) Nobody will pick it up for distribution except for a small company that will release it straight to video or on television
2) The film will be released although it will most likely get the equivalent of an NC-17 rating

What do you think?

[The Postmaster General]

Crazy story!

I would wonder if they don't want it released less-so for protecting victims, and more so because it shows some severe incompentence in the police forces.

[someguy]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
Crazy story!

I find this amazing about how much Americans don't know about the case. This was huge in Canada and if you ask any Canadian today who Bernardo is they'll know yet an American will give a blank stare.

[The Postmaster General]

Well, I'd imagine it works the other way as well.

Even within the US - The story used in MONSTER was almost a legend in Florida, but people outside Florida hardly ever heard of it.

[MacReady]

Originally posted by someguy
I find this amazing about how much Americans don't know about the case. This was huge in Canada and if you ask any Canadian today who Bernardo is they'll know yet an American will give a blank stare.

Bernado?

*Gives blank stare*

[Tuukka]

Originally posted by BubbaStrangelove
Crazy story!

I would wonder if they don't want it released less-so for protecting victims, and more so because it shows some severe incompentence in the police forces.

RE:

The incompetence of the police was just scary. Really scary. I wonder how many cases like this are going on at this very moment, and police is just being too lazy and incompetent to solve them despite all the evidence they are sitting on.

Probably way too many.

[Goosey]

When i first read this topic, I thought it perhaps meant the actual videotapes, which shouldn't ever be seen. I don't really see a problem with a film version being made though, freedom of speech and all that.

I also always thought it odd that such a bizarre case never made headlines in the US or the rest of the world. Another very interesting case, which may be unknown to the world or other Canadians even, is the Robert Latimer trial.

[free]

When I read this from that link, it made me physically ill.

On September 1, 1995, Bernardo was convicted on all the charges against him regarding the kidnappings, rapes and murders of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French. He also faced trials in the death of Tammy Homolka and the serial rapes in Scarborough. Under Canadian law, Bernardo can apply for parole after twenty-five years in prison, although it is unlikely that he would be successful in any parole bid.


So, after being convicted of TWO counts of first degree murder, not to mention the other charges and pending murder trials, he was STILL eligible for parole after 25 years?

I'm sorry, but I just lost a lot of respect for Canadian law.

[someguy]

Originally posted by free
When I read this from that link, it made me physically ill.

On September 1, 1995, Bernardo was convicted on all the charges against him regarding the kidnappings, rapes and murders of Leslie Mahaffy and Kristen French. He also faced trials in the death of Tammy Homolka and the serial rapes in Scarborough. Under Canadian law, Bernardo can apply for parole after twenty-five years in prison, although it is unlikely that he would be successful in any parole bid.


So, after being convicted of TWO counts of first degree murder, not to mention the other charges and pending murder trials, he was STILL eligible for parole after 25 years?

I'm sorry, but I just lost a lot of respect for Canadian law.

Trust me, Canadian law is fucked up and everyone knows it. A man got aggravated assault charges and had 2 years in prison, while a family who abused children for years get 12 months.

It's quite sickening.

[TheAxeGrinder]

Originally posted by someguy
Trust me, Canadian law is fucked up and everyone knows it. A man got aggravated assault charges and had 2 years in prison, while a family who abused children for years get 12 months.

It's quite sickening.

Just another example of why we shouldn't have the Prime Minister appoint judges. In my opinion, both Paul Bernardo and Carla Homolka should rot in jail for the rest of their miserable lives, since both Bernardo and Homolka are equally guilty.

As for the movie, I would've held off on making it for the time being. Considering that bitch Homolka gets out (?!) in the near future, which is complete bullshit. Those tapes they made should never be seen by anybody.

[SAI]

I only know a little about the case and, being British, I'm not even going to attempt to comment on Canadian law.
However on whether the movie should be released... of course it should. It's about freedom of expression. I'm very sorry for the families of the victims but this film will do nothing to change their situation for better or worse and they do not have to go and see it. I'm sorry but the offense that may be caused to a few should not override freedom of expression and of choice.

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by someguy
Trust me, Canadian law is fucked up and everyone knows it. A man got aggravated assault charges and had 2 years in prison, while a family who abused children for years get 12 months.

It's quite sickening.

Tell me about it about a couple years ago someone killed someone with an axe and got 5 years for it I think.

I think you can get more for bank fraud in this country.

As for the movie I don't know I was like 7 or 8 when this shit was happening and somewhat remember what happened and I heard about the making of this movie for about a few years. I'm not sure if Monster had the same problem.

[Zebra 3]

Originally posted by TheAxeGrinder
In my opinion, both Paul Bernardo and Carla Homolka should rot in jail for the rest of their miserable lives, since both Bernardo and Homolka are equally guilty. Bernardo is and will continue to rot away in prison for the rest of his days and in the case of Homolka, tough decisions were made at the time of the investigation and that's that. As for the movie, it should be available for the Canadian market, but it remains to be seen if there's a paying audience for it.