Inside Lara Roxx is a 2011 EyeSteelFilm Canadian documentary film by Canadian film director Mia Donovan. It covers the circumstances of a 21-year-old Canadian woman Lara Roxx who in the Spring of 2004, left her hometown Montreal heading to Los Angeles to work in pornography. Within two months she contracted HIV after shooting an unprotected sex scene with two men. It was revealed that one of the two men, porn actor Darren James,[1] was HIV positive.[2] The film did well critically. In 2012, it was nominated for a Claude Jutra Award for Best Documentary.

Inside Lara Roxx
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMia Donovan
Written byMia Donovan
Produced by
Edited byOmar Majeed
Production
company
Release date
  • November 25, 2011 (2011-11-25) (Montreal)
Running time
81 minutes
CountryCanada

Synopsis

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The film's director Mia Donovan[3][4] documents Roxx's life in the 5-year period following her diagnosis. Donovan meets her in a psychiatric ward in Montreal suffering from bipolar disorder.[5] The film covers Roxx's return to L.A. and Las Vegas to reconnect with the industry, her appearance on The Maury Povich Show, her attempt to establish a foundation for the protection of sex workers, and her crack addiction and entry into rehab.

The film has interviews with a number of Roxx's former associates – porn agents, porn actors and actresses like Bill Margold, Dick Nasty, Ron Jeremy and Anita Cannibal. The film also interviews the doctor who diagnosed her HIV, and her parents.

Screenings and awards

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The film had its world premiere at Hot Docs, Toronto's international documentary film festival under "Canadian Spectrum" section on 5, 6 and 8 May 2011.[6]

The film placed second in the Bacchus Award for best feature at the Boston Underground Film Festival.[7] It also won Documentary on Society and Humanity at the 2011 Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival.[8] In 2012 the film was nominated for a Claude Jutra Award for Best Documentary.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lin, Rong-Gong II (October 12, 2010). "Former porn star Darren James speaks out about latest HIV case". L.A. Now. Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  2. ^ Adams, James (February 3, 2012). "Inside Lara Roxx: The deadly price of porn fame". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  3. ^ Estima, Christine (May 8, 2012). "Hot Docs interview: Mia Donovan, director of Inside Lara Roxx". TheGATE.ca. Archived from the original on April 23, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  4. ^ McKechnie, Brian (May 5, 2012). "Interview: Filmmaker Mia Donovan looks at what's 'Inside Lara Roxx'". Criticize This. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012.
  5. ^ Knight, Chris (February 7, 2012). "Film review: Inside Lara Roxx is less cheeky than challenging". National Post. Toronto. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  6. ^ "Inside Lara Roxx". Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012.
  7. ^ Everleth, Mike (April 2, 2012). "2012 Boston Underground Film Festival: Award Winners". Underground Film Journal. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  8. ^ "GZ DOC 2011 Prizewinners". Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013.
  9. ^ Barnard, Linda (February 3, 2012). "Inside Lara Roxx: A new life for former adult film star". The Star. Toronto. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
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