VANCOUVER — No Equal Entertainment is developing a feature film based on the notorious 1997 murder of teenager Reena Virk with the full co-operation of the victim’s family.

Company principal Larry Sugar (jPod, Painkiller Jane) says the Virk family — which includes Virk’s mother and father, Suman and Manjit — will be consulted throughout development and production of the film, which will center on their late daughter and the swarming incident that ended her life; sending a message about the horrific consequences of bullying.

‘I told the Virk family I wouldn’t do the film if they didn’t want me to — they have gone through enough already,’ says Sugar. ‘We talked extensively, they had questions and concerns and wanted to ensure that the incident was portrayed accurately, and I made it clear that I wanted the film to be a morality lesson and a testament to their daughter’s memory. I want them to be comfortable with the film.’

This case made national headlines and brought to light the issue of girl gang violence. Virk, 14, was severely beaten and tortured in Victoria by a swarm of teenagers, seven girls and one boy. It is believed she was then dragged to the side of a bridge by two teens — Warren Glowatski and Kelly Ellard — who forced her head under water until she drowned. Six of the girls were convicted of assault causing bodily harm and Glowatski was convicted of second-degree murder. Ellard was tried three times and finally convicted of second-degree murder after a failed appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Sugar is currently in discussions with potential writers and directors for the project and hopes to shoot the movie in about 12 months on location in Victoria. The script will be based on extensive court documents and interviews with the family.

Financing at this point includes the B.C. Film Slate Development Fund. Sugar plans to apply to Telefilm Canada for development money once a writer is attached.

Sugar says he recognizes that films based on gruesome, true-life stories of murdered kids can be sensitive topics in the communities where the crimes occurred, as evidenced by the controversy that surrounded the 2006 Karla Homolka biopic.

‘This is why it was important that I have the blessing of the family,’ says Sugar. ‘As well, I am not making this film for exploitation purposes. Films should either entertain or educate. I am not doing this film to entertain. I want to make sure the message gets out showing how quickly peer pressure and bullying can spiral out of control and the devastating effects of prejudice.’