Boyhood Shadows - World Premiere - Sept. 22nd
As the focal point of our community, a goal of the 12 Angels is to support creative projects that raise awareness of the issues we face and encounter. A major project screening later this month in Monterey is the documentary, BOYHOOD SHADOWS. Focusing on male sexual abuse, this powerful film stars one of our own board members Glenn K. Sexual abuse often leads directly to problems with addiction as a way to escape the harshness of memory and reality. Since “One in six boys is sexually molested before the age of 18”, the problem needs to be addressed. Support of this film by our community is an important first step. Personally, I experienced sexual abuse as a kid, and I know how it fueled my use of drugs and alcohol. During the making of the film, I had the opportunity to meet with the inspiring filmmakers, and it is an honor to support their work. The media is a powerful tool of social entrepreneurship. We encourage our community to let us know of other media projects targeting addiction. Below is the official press release of the film….
“The silence is broken.
On September 22, the groundbreaking documentary, BOYHOOD SHADOWS, “I Swore I’d Never Tell” holds its world premiere at the Steinbeck Forum in Monterey. This unprecedented film explores the emotional carnage of childhood sexual abuse - yet also shines light on the strength of the human spirit. It is a stunning, worthwhile expose of this monstrous secret. It is true. Childhood sexual abuse happens. We as a society don’t want to talk about it. Yet, it is on the front page of our newspapers…. the accusation of David Stamm… the conviction of Charles Lamb. These are Monterey county cases. But it is a national story, a national epidemic. One in six boys is sexually molested by the age of 16. The Monterey County Rape Crisis Center presents a fundraiser premiere of BOYHOOD SHADOWS, a film by award-winning filmmakers, Terri DeBono and Steve Rosen of Mac and Ava Motion Pictures (Beyond Barbed Wire). Past and present elements are woven into the plot of this gripping documentary revealing Glenn’s story that began as a young boy under the power of a sexual predator.
Filmed in California, New York and New Jersey, the narrative chronicles Glenn’s struggle as he tries to make sense of his life, telling no one. Numbing his pain as a teen with alcohol and drugs, he held the secret and the shame. His brothers and sister, his mother and father – who recognized something was wrong with this once-golden-boy were at a loss to understand the cause of his devastation. After suffering for decades addicted to alcohol and drugs, Glenn finally found the help he needed at a special Men’s Group led by therapist, Stephen Braveman, at Monterey County Rape Crisis Center. In the film he describes his past…funny, poignant and sad. Glenn’s story is interspersed with other boys-turned-men.”
Along with nationally known experts in the field, several Monterey County and central California men are featured in the film, as well as Monterey therapist Stephen Braveman, Fred Jealous, Clare Mounteer, Executive Director for MCRCC and Ann Hill, Deputy District Attorney. Laura Dare, Monterey composer and singer, will perform scores from the film at the premiere.
The film’s genesis began at the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center’s Men’s Group which created a 30 second PSA. Stephen Braveman, LMFT, facilitates this group. It is one of only an estimated 40 groups in the country. The premiere begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Steinbeck Forum and is followed by a dessert reception with the filmmakers and cast. The proceeds will benefit the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center’s Child Abuse Prevention Education Program which reaches over 5,000 public school children each year. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Call the Rape Crisis Center at 373-3955. Reserve your seats now.
*View the film’s trailer or get more information: http://www.boyhoodshadows.org/
WHERE: Steinbeck Forum in the Monterey Conference Center
WHEN: Monday, September 22
TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
DESSERT RECEPTION: follows with filmmakers and cast
TICKETS: Call 831-373-395
$20 in advance, $25 at the door
Proceeds benefit MCRCC’s Child Abuse Prevention Program
