"Capturing
the Friedmans" is a documentary by Andrew
Jarecki that is compelling and almost impossible
to not watch despite its sensitive subject and
often traumatic information.
The film centers around the Friedman's, a middle
class Jewish family that is torn about when
father Arnold has child pornography found in his
mailbox...this soon leads to allegations of
dozens of counts of child molestation against
him and his 18-year-old son during a computer
club held at the house.
It is easy to point out that with child abuse,
even the allegation will destroy one's life. In
many ways, the truth does not matter. I have
seen, time and again, families ripped apart by
allegations of abuse only to have the
allegations proven to be false. I must admit
that I do have a bit of bias, but my bias
fluctuates. First, of course, I am a diehard
child advocate with a strong tendency to believe
the victim. HOWEVER, I am one who tends to be
skeptical when it comes to "mass" hysteria
molestation accusations. While mass occurrences
do happen, it is definitely the exception and
not the rule. It is frightening to me that so
often one child will make an accusation only to
be followed by several others in the same
setting...a sort of hysteria sets in. Too many
investigators and interviewers do not have
adequate training working with these
children...and, thus, end up ruining innocent
lives.
Yet, this documentary presents us with an almost
even more frightening dilemma. It presents
enough evidence to pretty much convince anyone
that the allegations of child pornography are
true...yet, puts into question the molestation
allegations. Thus, it appears we have a
pedophile...a perv...but, perhaps, not a
molester. In other words, clearly...he has the
fantasies...he can read these fantasies, write
these fantasies...put himself at risk of these
fantasies...but has he ever actually acted on
these fantasies?
Add into this interesting mix family movies done
by a younger soon...an odd addition, but
remarkably effective in showing the emotions,
the dysfunction, the utter emotional chaos as
the family goes through the trial and watches
the father and 18-year-old son end up in jail,
where the father ends up dying. This is a sad
film, but nearly a must-see...definitely a
must-see for anyone who cares about children,
who advocates for them. It is emotional yet
oddly intellectual...it is, in many ways,
terrifying yet amazingly informative. It truly
"captures the Friedman's."
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
Guilty!
This is a fascinating documentary... and Guilty!
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
