An American Crime (2007) Ellen Page as: Sylvia Likens Other Cast: Hayley McFarland, Nick Searcy, Romy Rosemont, Catherine Keener, Ari Graynor, Scout Taylor-Compton, Tristan Jarred, Hannah Leigh Dworkin Production Status: Released Release Date: 7 December 2007 (Sweden) Directed By: Tommy O'Haver Screenwriters: Tommy O'Haver, Irene Turner Genre: Crime, Drama MPAA Rating: .. Studio: ? • IMDb • Official Site • Photo Gallery Synopsis In 1965, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the teenager Sylvia and her fragile sister Jennie Faye Likens befriend the children of the single mother Gertrude Baniszewski in the church. Their parents Lester and Betty Likens offer twenty dollars per week to the dysfunctional and needy Gertrude to lodge and take care of their daughters while they work in a traveling Carnival. When Gertrude's daughter Paula tells in confidence to Sylvia that she is made pregnant by a married man called Bradley, Sylvia defends Paula against her lover disclosing the secret and their neighbor Ricky Hobbs overhears the argument. Sooner the rumor spreads in the high-school and neighborhood of Paula, who tells her mother that Sylvia is gossiping against her. The sadistic and evil Gertrude decides to punish Sylvia in her descent to hell From the Photo Gallery ...View all photos Trivia & Facts • Filming Locations: • Los Angeles, California, USA • Awards: • Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations (view) Ellen Page Quotes • Coming Soon! Quotes • Sylvia Likens: ...every situation God always has a plan. I guess I'm still trying to figure out what that plan was. • Gertrude Baniszewski: [preparing to write the tattoo onto Sylvia's belly] Ricky... she came back from juvenile! Started stirring up trouble again... Johnny hold her! Sylvia Likens: No, please, please! Gertrude Baniszewski: Keep her still! Marie Baniszewski: If you move, it'll only be messy. Gertrude Baniszewski: [gives Marie a lighter and a safety pin] Light that. Sylvia Likens: No! No! No! Please! No! No! Please! Please! Gertrude Baniszewski: Stop it! Shirley Baniszewski: You got it right, mama? Gertrude Baniszewski: Make sure it's hot! Sylvia Likens: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Gertrude Baniszewski: You liar! Sylvia Likens: Please stop, please no! Please! [Marie gives Gertrude the safety pin] Gertrude Baniszewski: You branded my daughters... now I have to brand you.