Karen Lam Explained

Birth Place:Brandon, Manitoba
Occupation:Film director, Film producer, Screenwriter
Yearsactive:2000–present
Website:http://karenlamfilms.com/

Karen Lam is a Canadian director, writer and producer. She is known for the horror film Evangeline (2013).[1]

Life and career

Karen Lam grew up in Brandon, Manitoba. Lam's father, a professor, would show his daughter horror films that she cites as an influence for her work. Lam also lists Gothic literature and Asian horror films as influences.[2]

After receiving a law degree from the University of British Columbia, Lam began working at BC Film. From there she started producing films which lead to writing and directing.[3] Lam's first featured-length film was Stained (2010), a thriller starring Tinsel Korey. A year later the horror revenge short Doll Parts (2011) was released and distributed, which Lam credits for paving the way for Stained to get viewership in the United States.[4]

Evangeline

See main article: Evangeline (2013 film). Karen Lam wrote and directed Evangeline, a revenge horror film based on the Pickton murders, and the Highway of Tears murders in British Columbia, as well as violence against women in general. It stars Kat de Lieva as a university student seeking revenge against those who beat her. At the 2013 Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival the film won Best Cinematography, and for Lam, Best Director.[5]

Armageddon Road

Karen Lam wrote and directed Armageddon Road, a dark comedy that takes place in Las Vegas in 1976, where an ex-con is hired by a mob boss to drive his girlfriend around for an evening, only for her to die of a cocaine overdose and have her body taken over by one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. It stars Natalie Grace, Willie Aames, Brian McCaig, April Telek, and Landon Liboiron.[6] The film uses a combination of LED volume walls and miniature sets created by Gary Young.[7]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleAwards and nominationsNotesRef.
2007The CabinetDirector, writerShort Film[8]
2010StainedDirector, writerFirst feature film
2011Doll PartsDirector, writerShort Film
2013EvangelineDirector, writerBlood in the Snow Film Festival Award for Best Director
Nominated for Toronto Female Eye Film Festival Jury Award for Best Canadian Feature
[9]
2015ChiralDirector, writerBlood in the Snow Film Festival Award for Best Short FilmShort Film[10]
20177 from EtheriaCo-DirectorShort Film Showcase[11]
2020The Curse of Willow SongDirector, writer, producerBest BC Film, 2020 Vancouver International Film Festival[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Furminger. Sabrina. Director Karen Lam directs anger into 'Evangeline'. Vancouver Courier. 5 March 2018. October 29, 2014. Vancouver Courier.
  2. Web site: Q&A with Karen Lam . Roberta Stanley . Vancouver Magazine . 2013-06-01 . 5 March 2018. VanMag.
  3. Warner. Andrea. Karen Lam rattles bones - and loves it. WE Vancouver. March 7, 2012. March 8, 2012. 6. 5 March 2018. WE Vancouver.
  4. Spiderbaby. Lianne. Karen Lam: Filmmaker of Many PARTS. Fangoria. February 2012. 310. 81. 5 March 2018. Fangoria.
  5. Web site: 2013 Blood in the Snow Film Festival. 5 March 2018. Blood in the Snow.
  6. Web site: Vlessing . Etan . 2024-05-13 . ‘Eight is Enough’ Actor Willie Aames, Natalie Grace Topline ‘Armageddon Road’ Dark Comedy (Exclusive) . 2024-08-01 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  7. Web site: Christie . Brendan . Karen Lam brings Armageddon Road to B.C. . 2024-08-01.
  8. News: See How They Work: Vancouver horror filmmaker Karen Lam . 28 October 2018 . February 20, 2014 . Vancouver Sun.
  9. Web site: Barnard. Linda. Horror films showcased at Female Eye Film Festival. thestar.com. Toronto Star. 5 March 2018. June 13, 2014.
  10. Web site: Alexander . Chris . Canadian Horror Fest BLOOD IN THE SNOW Announces Winners . ComingSoon.net . Evolve Media . 28 October 2018 . ComingSoon . December 2, 2015.
  11. Web site: Boiselle . Matt . Interview With 7 From Etheria Director Karen Lam . Dread Central . Dread Central Media . 28 October 2018 . Dread Central . August 7, 2017.
  12. Dana Gee, "Genre-loving director is back with some good, creepy fare for this year's VIFF". Vancouver Sun, September 25, 2020.