Nava Mau Cast in Kampmeier's 'Holy Whore' Indie Drama
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- Nava Mau has been cast as Alex — described as 'a talented dominatrix, heroin addict, and the most powerful, magnetic and beautiful woman in every room' — in Deborah Kampmeier's upcoming indie drama Holy Whore.
- Mariel Hemingway will star as Carmine in the present day, with Sophia Adler playing the younger Carmine; the film follows Carmine's arc from prostitution and drug addiction to becoming a sex therapist, per the synopsis.
- Holy Whore is based on the true story of a modern-day courtesan, with the narrative weaving past and present as Carmine eventually 'reclaims her vocation as a sex worker as her chosen path for healing others.'
- Filming is due to begin in Mexico in late summer, with Kampmeier producing alongside Iris Torres and Raye Dowell for Full Moon Films and Vicky Mara Story for Sunshine in South Central.
- The project marks Kampmeier's first feature in six years; her prior credits include the Sundance pic Hounddog and the Elisabeth Moss-starring Indie Spirit nominee Virgin, plus recent TV work on The Gilded Age.
- Mau won the Independent Spirit Award and earned Emmy and BAFTA nominations for her breakthrough role in Baby Reindeer; her other credits include HBO Max's Generation and Netflix's You.
- Mau called the film 'a reclamation of power for the divine feminine,' while Kampmeier praised Mau's 'fearless, self-possessed and vulnerable performances' and her history of activism with survivors of violence.
Why it matters: The casting gives Mau her first major film role since her *Baby Reindeer* breakthrough, pairing her with Oscar-nominated veteran Hemingway for a comeback feature from Kampmeier, whose last indie (*Virgin*) earned an Indie Spirit nomination. Mau's involvement — and her own quote framing the film as 'a reclamation of power for the divine feminine' — signals the project is leaning into her profile as both performer and survivor advocate rather than just her name recognition.
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