EXCLUSIVE: Emmy and BAFTA nominee Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer) will star with Mariel Hemingway and Sophia Adler in Deborah Kampmeier’s upcoming indie drama Holy Whore.
Written and directed by Kampmeier, the film is “the true story of Carmine, a modern day courtesan. As the story weaves past and present we see the ways Carmine moves from prostitution and drug addiction into a healing journey that leads her to become a sex therapist. Ultimately, she reclaims her vocation as a sex worker as her chosen path for healing others.”
Hemingway will star as Carmine present day, with Adler playing the younger Carmine. Mau will star as “Alex, the daughter of diplomats and a world traveler. Alex is a talented dominatrix, heroin addict, and the most powerful, magnetic and beautiful woman in every room. She and young Carmine (Adler) become best friends and roommates and end up in rehab together to get clean. Alex and Carmine’s relationship makes a lasting impact on Carmine and becomes a turning point in her life.”
Filming is due to get underway in Mexico in late summer on the project, which marks a first feature in six years for Kampmeier, the filmmaker whose movies include Sundance pic Hounddog and Elisabeth Moss-starring Indie Spirit nominee Virgin, and whose recent TV work includes The Gilded Age.
Kampmeier will also produce along with Iris Torres and Raye Dowell for Full Moon Films and Vicky Mara Story for Sunshine in South Central.
“I am incredibly moved by Deborah Kampmeier’s delicate exploration of sexuality, violence, and healing without judgment,” said Mau. “This film speaks to our society’s deep need for reconnection, and is a reclamation of power for the divine feminine. It’s an honor to join Deborah in telling this story, in all its complexity and transformative potential.”
Kampmeier added: “I’m honored and inspired to have Nava join our cast to play the role of Alex. Not only am I deeply moved by her fearless, self-possessed and vulnerable performances as an actress, but she brings with her a history of work and activism with survivors of violence that adds a layer of nuance and depth of understanding to being a woman in this world and the world of our film.”
Mau won the Independent Spirit Award and received Emmy and BAFTA nominations for her breakthrough role in Baby Reindeer. Her other credits include HBO Max’s Generation and Netflix’s You.
Mau is repped by Innovative Artists, IKIGAI Management & Media, and Gang, Tyre.
