Karen Lancaume (aka Karen Bach from BAISE MOI) kills herself

James Logan · #1 02-03-2005, 10:30 AM

As reported by the Agence France Press, and translated by yours truly:

She was Nadine in BAISE-MOI, the ultraviolent "porn" flick released in the fall of 2000 and rated X by the French authorities.

Karen Lancaume, aka Karen Bach, put an end to her life last Friday night in a friend's apartment in Paris, on a prescription drug overdose. She left a note to her parents, the contents of which were kept private.

Under the names of Karen Lancaume and Angel Paris, she had been one of the biggest porn stars in France, starring in such movies as LE CHATEAU DES DESIRS, BERENICE NIQUE and WORLD SEX TOUR.

The young upper-class woman, holder of a bachelor's in economics, had been introduced to porn by her first husband, and had kept doing X-rated movies after their divorce. She had been hired by Virginie Despentes to star in BAISE-MOI in 1999, after she had just retired from porn. The movie had created a huge controversy both in France and abroad, and Karen Lancaume was always the first to defend it, calling a feminist movie, and stating that: "Why should women get their asses grabbed and not men? All women want is equality and comprehension. BAISE-MOI isn't porn. Porn is guys who come all over women's faces and women who take it all, like objects. BAISE-MOI is the exact opposite."

She had not been in a movie since BAISE-MOI. Still single, she spoke most often of love, music, and children... and, at age 31, finally chose death over life.

I'm sad and surprised. Not a huge fan of BAISE-MOI, but loved the porn flicks (and somehow, this news makes me feel a little guilty about it). But hey...I hope she finds peace now, because she apparently never found it down here.

SAI · #2 02-03-2005, 10:31 AM

I only saw her in Baise Moi (a good film that would be more interesting without the hardcore aspect) but i thought she had presence and talent. Very sad to hear this news.

RIP

Addi88 · #3 02-03-2005, 12:08 PM

R.I.P

B1rd_Po0p · #4 02-03-2005, 12:13 PM

It is not surprising at all - many, many porn stars take their own lives. I think it's because once you've entered that world you find out what a truly small world it is - and there is always the aspects of drugs and disease. It is still very sad that she felt she had no other alternatives.

Patrick Bateman · #5 02-03-2005, 01:57 PM

It's a sad, but true statement. Pornstars often do take their own lives. And I believe it's become something of a cliche in the public eye. I cant say I'm really familiar with Karen Lancaume, but I do feel sad that she felt this was her only option left in life. Now in many ways, her story will unfortunately join the all-too-familiar-stories of Shauna Grant, and Savannah.

The adult film industry fascinates me for several reasons. It's a very harsh industry in itself. Which chews up, and spits out countless girls a year. And the average career lasts only 1-2 years. Anything over that, and you're really considered a verteran. Although there are some who are able to find much success, this is really not the case with most.

Often it is very tough for a porn star/ex porn star to find true love. And those who do should be considered very lucky.
Initially, some guys find dating a porn star, or ex porn star exciting. But after a few weeks, the fantasy wears off. And suddenly the guy finally begins viewing his 'hot' new girlfriend as more of a person, and not just a fantasy. Sadly, the relationship often turns ugly. Even abusive.

It's one of the many risks to having a career in the industry I suppose.

What sucks is that Karen was probably deep down, just looking for someone to love her. Which makes this news all the more tragic.

RIP Karen
Hope you find peace in the afterlife.

B1rd_Po0p · #6 02-03-2005, 02:05 PM

... And a LOT of people say 'but this is one industry where women actually make more money than men!' ... uh yeah - have ya seen what they go through?? Some porn is excellent (I'm a big Andrew Blake fan) but the majority of it is very degrading. I can see how many a young starlet becomes disillusioned after a short while... Not to mention something like AIDS coming along - I remember when that tore through the industry and changed it forever...

Patrick Bateman · #7 02-03-2005, 02:44 PM

Yup. I believe the death of John Holmes in 1988 is what really initiated the testing of HIV in the industry. Which makes it something of a miracle that AIDS/HIV wasnt already running rampant in the industry. I think the other scariest outbreaks, was the Wallace case. Back in '98. And the recent outbreak that appeared last April. Which actually shut much of the billion dollar industry completely down.

And I agree B1rd_Po0p, these days much of the porn scene has become much too raunchy, and degrading for my tastes. Considering what many girls are asked to perform these days, compared to years back. It's easy to see how some girls can easily become disillusioned.

Andrew Blake puts out alot of good stuff. Personally, I seem to buy more Vivid titles than anything else. Which are more or less aimed at couples. Maybe some Wicked. But I steer far away from the real 'hardcore' companies. Especially Rob Black's.