Knox flick director ‘impartial’
Robert Dornhelm, the Austrian currently creating a TV drama based on the life of convicted killer Amanda Knox, has stressed his film will not give a verdict.American exchange student Knox was jailed for 26 years for the brutal murder of flatmate Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, in November 2007. Reportedly the Brit had refused to join a bizarre sex game before being stabbed by Knox.Her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and their pal Rudy Guede were given prison terms of 26 years and 30 years respectively for their part in the crime.Dornhelm, who created the acclaimed 2001 TV series “Anne Frank: The Whole Story”, explained today (Thurs) that he decided not to weave his point of view into the upcoming film “The Amanda Knox Story”.The 63-year-old told Austrian weekly magazine News: “Im trying to stay impartial, thats very important. The film will end with a big question mark Ill let the audience decide.”Dornhelm rubbished accusations that his work could influence the upcoming appeal trial. He said: “This claim is ridiculous, because youd have to keep all media from covering the story then.”The Romanian-born director, who describes the life of Knox as a “love story gone wrong”, revealed the film will be screened by various broadcasters as early as next March. ” US TV network ‘Lifetime’ has already sold the rights all over the world. They are right to expect high rating figures,” he said speaking to News.Dornhelm also revealed why he decided to shoot the film starring Hayden Panettiere as Knox in Rome.He said: “We werent welcome in Perugia, which is a city of many students where privileged people from all over the world send their kids to study. Its image already suffered from the Knox case anyway.”Academy Award laureate Marcia Gay Harden will star as Edda Melles, the mother of Knox refusing to give up the fight to get her child out of jail.The screenplay of the eagerly awaited film is being written by Wendy Battles who has produced TV hits such as legal drama series “Law & Order”.Meanwhile, Sollecitos lawyer Luca Maori has expressed concerns that the movie could harm the legal appeals which his client and Knox are making against their convictions.Maori said: “We dont have the final verdict in this case yet. If the film is ready before the appeal is over, we will seek a court injunction to prevent it being aired.”The 21-year-old victims father John Kercher said: “I don’t like the idea of a film based on Meredith’s death. Seeing it graphically portrayed ( ) is a horrible thought.”According to Italian newspapers, Knox who tabloids have nicknamed “Foxy Knoxy” will star in a Christmas show for jail mates in Capanne prison on the outskirts of Perugia. Her music teacher revealed she would sing a solo. “She’s an outstanding soprano with an amazing voice,” he said about the 23-year-old.