Kathryn Bolkovac, the woman on whose real life experiences the film is based, sold the rights to her story to director Larysa Kondracki for $100.
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Rachel Weisz first read the script in 2005 when she was pregnant, but turned it down because she didn't think she could play the harsh role of Bolkovac at that time. In 2009, after learning that the film never went ahead, she accepted the role and the film entered into production.
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Rachel Weisz essentially shadowed Kathryn Bolkovac to get to know her subject intimately. As the two share very few physical characteristics, Weisz concentrated on aping Bolkovac's mannerisms.
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A rape scene, in which the fictionalized character of Raya is brutalized with a lead pipe. had to be toned down as one viewer fainted during a preview screening in Toronto.
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It took director Larysa Kondracki eight years to get the film made. The signing on of Rachel Weisz in the lead was instrumental in moving the project forward.