UNITED STATES
The Worthy Adversary
Posted by Joelle Casteix on November 9, 2015
In September, I was listening to AirTalk on KPCC, one of LA’s NPR stations. On Fridays, they feature Film Week (one of my favorites), a show where reviewers talk about new film debuts, international film festivals, and DVD releases.
On this particular show, the host and one of the reviewers were discussing the Venice Film Festival and the film Spotlight. (still looking for the interview link. sorry) The host, Larry Mantle, said something that struck me. “Who is going to want to see a movie about sexual abuse?”
His guest answered it perfectly. He said – and I paraphrase – Spotlight isn’t a film about child sexual abuse. It is a film about journalists uncovering a story, layer by layer. And the guest was right. I will add: It’s a film about victims demanding accountability. It’s about justice through journalism.
It’s a film with a winning message, a call to action, and the power of truth in reporting. I was invited to a sneak screening of Spotlight in early October. I was lucky to be able to see it with Barbara Blaine, the founder and president of SNAP.
I also took my father, who had never met Barbara, and who loves a good movie. And what an amazing night it was. My 78-year-old dad (who is not a part of the “movement”) loved the film. He left with questions – good questions – about whether or not things have really changed, how bishops still react, and if reporters were still devoted to such meaty stories. He looked at Barbara was blown away by the organization she created. He couldn’t believe that I actually KNOW Phil Saviano, Mitch Garabedian, and Richard Sipe (and have spoken with Mike Rezendes on numerous occasions).
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