Karen Lam
Canadian director, writer and producer
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Karen Lam is a Canadian director, writer and producer. She is known for the horror film Evangeline (2013).[1]
Karen Lam | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brandon, Manitoba |
| Occupations | Film director, film producer, screenwriter |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Website | karenlamfilms |
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
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.[2] It stars Kat de Lieva as a university student seeking revenge against those who beat her.[1] 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] It's set to have its world premiere at the Fantaspoa film festival in 2026.[8]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Awards and nominations | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Cabinet | Director, writer | Short Film | [9] | |
| 2010 | Stained | Director, writer | First feature film | [4] | |
| 2011 | Doll Parts | Director, writer | Short Film | [9] | |
| 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 |
[5][10] | |
| 2015 | Chiral | Director, writer | Blood in the Snow Film Festival Award for Best Short Film | Short Film | [11] |
| 2017 | 7 from Etheria | Co-director | Short Film Showcase | [12] | |
| 2020 | The Curse of Willow Song | Director, writer, producer | Best BC Film, 2020 Vancouver International Film Festival | ||
| 2022 | Bring It On: Cheer or Die | Director | [13] |