A feature film inspired by the story of Australia’s worst female killer, Katherine Knight, now in pre-production, has already captured the attention of key international distributors.
The project is headed by Dane Millerd, who wrote, directed and produced There’s Something in the Pilliga (to be released world wide in October as Half Human). Millerd is co-writing the script with Ross Murray. Filming is scheduled for late 2016.
Based on Peter Lalor’s acclaimed book Blood Stain, the film examines Knight’s relationship with John Price, the man she loved and horrifically murdered.
On 29 February 2000, in the quiet rural town of Aberdeen in New South Wales, Australia, Knight stabbed Price 37 times, then beheaded, skinned and cooked him.
For Millerd and Murray, the film is the culmination of years of research and fascination with the case.
“We knew the story would attract a lot of interest in Australia and find an audience here,” said Millerd.
“The international attention has been unexpected but not surprising. It was a heinous true-crime committed in cold blood. The local cops are still haunted by it.
“While it is only early days as we finalise the script and look for investors and a distributor, we believe we have something very special with this project.”
Murray knew he wanted to write the script from the moment he first read the book.
“It’s hard to believe that such a thing can happen in such a small, quiet Australian community but it’s not unheard of,” said Murray.
“We’re writing a tense, gritty drama and it’s important the film be made that way.”
Knight was the first Australian woman to be sentenced to life in prison, never to be released. She is currently serving her sentence in Silverwater Women’s Correctional
Centre.
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This post was written by Nadia Vella