Karen Lam

{{Distinguish|Karen Lam (researcher)}}

{{short description|Canadian director, writer and producer}}

{{Infobox person

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Brandon, Manitoba

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation = Film director, Film producer, Screenwriter

| yearsactive = 2000–present

| spouse =

| website = http://karenlamfilms.com/

}}

Karen Lam is a Canadian director, writer and producer. She is known for the horror film Evangeline (2013).{{cite web|last1=Furminger|first1=Sabrina|title=Director Karen Lam directs anger into 'Evangeline'|url=http://www.vancourier.com/entertainment/director-karen-lam-channels-anger-into-evangeline-1.1478360|website=Vancouver Courier|accessdate=5 March 2018|date=October 29, 2014|ref=Vancouver Courier}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://vanmag.com/uncategorized/qa-with-karen-lam/ |title=Q&A with Karen Lam |author=Roberta Stanley |work=Vancouver Magazine |date=2013-06-01 |accessdate=5 March 2018|ref=VanMag}}

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.{{cite journal|last1=Warner|first1=Andrea|title=Karen Lam rattles bones - and loves it|journal=WE Vancouver|date=March 7, 2012|issue=March 8, 2012|page=6|url=https://issuu.com/blackpress/docs/i20120308071409706|accessdate=5 March 2018|ref=WE Vancouver}} 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.{{cite journal|last1=Spiderbaby|first1=Lianne|title=Karen Lam: Filmmaker of Many PARTS|journal=Fangoria|date=February 2012|issue=310|page=81|url=https://archive.org/details/Fangoria_310_c2c_2012_Re-em-DCP|accessdate=5 March 2018|ref=Fangoria}}

=Evangeline=

{{main|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.{{cite web|title=2013 Blood in the Snow Film Festival|url=http://www.bloodinthesnow.ca/BITS2013.html|accessdate=5 March 2018|ref=Blood in the Snow}}

=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.{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=2024-05-13 |title=‘Eight is Enough’ Actor Willie Aames, Natalie Grace Topline ‘Armageddon Road’ Dark Comedy (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/willie-aames-natalie-grace-armageddon-road-1235895701/ |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} The film uses a combination of LED volume walls and miniature sets created by Gary Young.{{Cite web |last=Christie |first=Brendan |title=Karen Lam brings Armageddon Road to B.C. |url=https://playbackonline.ca/2024/05/14/karen-lam-brings-armageddon-road-to-b-c/ |access-date=2024-08-01}}

Filmography

class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;"
style="width:5em;" |Year

! style="width:10em;" |Title

! style="width:10em;" |Role

! style="width:50em;" |Awards and nominations

! style="width:10em;" |Notes

! style="width:2em;" |Ref.

2007

|The Cabinet

|Director, writer

|

|Short Film

|{{cite news |title=See How They Work: Vancouver horror filmmaker Karen Lam |url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/movie-guide/they+work+vancouver+horror+filmmaker+karen+with+video/9531844/story.html |accessdate=28 October 2018 |date=February 20, 2014 |ref=Vancouver Sun}}

2010

|Stained

|Director, writer

|

|First feature film

|

2011

|Doll Parts

|Director, writer

|

|Short Film

|

2013

|Evangeline

|Director, writer

|Blood in the Snow Film Festival Award for Best Director
Nominated for Toronto Female Eye Film Festival Jury Award for Best Canadian Feature

|

|{{cite web|last1=Barnard|first1=Linda|title=Horror films showcased at Female Eye Film Festival|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2014/06/13/horror_films_showcased_at_female_eye_film_festival.html|website=thestar.com|publisher=Toronto Star|accessdate=5 March 2018|date=June 13, 2014}}

2015

|Chiral

|Director, writer

|Blood in the Snow Film Festival Award for Best Short Film

|Short Film

|{{cite web |last1=Alexander |first1=Chris |title=Canadian Horror Fest BLOOD IN THE SNOW Announces Winners |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/horror/news/747880-canadian-horror-fest-blood-snow-announces-winners |website=ComingSoon.net |publisher=Evolve Media |accessdate=28 October 2018 |ref=ComingSoon |date=December 2, 2015}}

2017

|7 from Etheria

|Co-Director

|

|Short Film Showcase

|{{cite web |last1=Boiselle |first1=Matt |title=Interview With 7 From Etheria Director Karen Lam |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/245457/interview-7-etheria-director-karen-lam/ |website=Dread Central |publisher=Dread Central Media |accessdate=28 October 2018 |ref=Dread Central |date=August 7, 2017}}

2020

|The Curse of Willow Song

|Director, writer, producer

|Best BC Film, 2020 Vancouver International Film Festival

|

|Dana Gee, [https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/movies/genre-loving-director-is-back-with-some-good-creepy-fare-for-this-years-viff "Genre-loving director is back with some good, creepy fare for this year's VIFF"]. Vancouver Sun, September 25, 2020.

References

{{reflist}}