GIRL IN THE BOX

Canada, 2017, 87 minutes, Colour.

Addison Timlin, Zane Holtz, Zelda Williams.

Directed by Stephen Kemp.

Girl in the Box is based on a true story, 1977, the area between Oregon and northern Carolina. Several documentaries were made about this story, including one in which the victim, Colleen Stan, revisited her past.

She is played by Addison Timlin, hitchhiking to visit family, picked up by a couple, young and with charm. They imprison her, often in a coffin like box for after 23 hours a day. She becomes their slave. The young man of the couple is addicted to sexual violence. The young woman eventually has some more compassion.

This is a Lifetime movie, made for the wide audience, a mixture of the realistic as well is the sensational – but sympathy for the young woman who had to undergo such experiences.

1. The title, literal?
2. The American countryside, the deserts of California, small towns, factories and workplaces, the highways, the forests? The musical score?
3. Based on a true story? The 1970s and 1980s?
4. The opening, Cameron and Janice, the killing of the young woman, her screaming, burying her? Cameron and his callous attitudes, explanation of his interest in bondage, as a young boy, his experiments when young with Janice? Abducting women for bondage? His relationship with Janice, marrying her, her being subservient to him? The set up in the house, his going to work, casual and the next door neighbour?
5. Janice, the rosary beads, the Bible, the long association with Cameron, love for him, subservient, as a slave? Collaboration in the bondage and whipping? The burial of the girl, her conscience? The abduction of Coleen? Her mixed feelings, dislike of Coleen, growing jealousy? The issue of pregnancy, giving birth? Her going to work?
6. Colleen, her intentions, 20 years old, on the road, abducted, confined to the basement, the box, the bondage, her being whipped? Cameron and his using her, Janice and her mixed feelings? Subservient, the days passing, the years passing? Cameron and his story of the Company, slavery, the document and her signing, his terrorising her about escaping? Yet her getting more freedom, working around the house, meals? Cameron barking attention and her having to strip? Calling him master, calling Janice Mamme? Colleen’s loss of a sense of time, except for the birth of the baby, Amber growing up? Playing with Amber? Subject of Janice’s jealousy?
7. The growing tension between Cameron and Janice, the sexual issues, his relationship with Coleen? Calling her K? Janice eventually wanting to move out, telling Coleen the story of the former girl, their praying together?
8. Coleen’s nightmares – and her confessing to the priest?
9. Cameron, Coleen moving more freely, working outside, going to the forests to cut the timber, possibilities of escape looking at the road, staying? Cameron and his leg wound?
10. The visit to her family, the conditions, Cameron’s pressure, charm with the family, their being glad to see Coleen, her sister’s suspicions and questions? An assumption that she was part of a cult?
11. Cameron, his mixed reactions after the visit? Wanting Coleen to himself, the cabin? His turning on her?
12. Janice, leaving, putting Coleen on the bus?