A documentary about how lobbyist Ron Book harnessed his political power to pass the toughest sex offender laws in the nation and its impact on the lives of those forced to live under the laws will premier at the Tribeca Film Festival, taking place April 13 – 24th in Manhattan.
The description of the film appears below:
Untouchable, directed by David Feige. (USA) – World Premiere. When a powerful Florida lobbyist discovered his daughter was sexually abused, he launched a crusade to pass some of the strictest sex offender laws in the country. Today, 800,000 people are listed in the sex offender registry, yet the cycles of abuse continue. David Feige’s enlightening documentary argues for a new understanding of how we think about and legislate sexual abuse.
This will certainly be an interesting one to see.
This film is what a documentary should be and should do. Truly courageous film-making. In my exclusive interview with director David Feige, he says “I made this film for exactly the reasons that nobody would fund it.” Read more of this lengthy and insightful interview a the HelenHighly blog. http://wp.me/p6TF51-8R
I don’t know if FAC is in this film (they should be; heck, I thought they were just with WAR) but the Rally in Tally is in the film. I really, truly hope that FAC reconsiders their position on public demonstrations, especially now that Lauren Book is running for Senate.
I wanted to have another demonstration but I only have enough support for one project a year and I already had a plan in the works (no, not DC, I’m thinking the Big Apple), so I reluctantly gave up on any ideas to return to Flotiduh.
Right now, Lauren Book is having her march across the state a little early. I notice she she not only started a month early, she has shortened her trip. to 13 locations and only 3 weeks instead of a full month. I think, however, it has more to do with her Senate run than anything. This walk ends on March 26, but she’ll be in the Ft Lauderdale/ Broward Co/ Miami area pretty much that whole week. Perhaps this would be a good time to make your presence felt.
This documentary isn’t “just” about the Books. This is about the impact of his mission as well. It would be a shame to miss such a perfect chance to gain publicity for your organization and encourage folks to be more active in their own cause. I hope you take these words to heart.
I can appreciate the idea, Derek.
The problem with fighting Ron Book is that we’re in the state he controls. His client, Geo Group, is in Boca Raton. They pay him and Governor Rick Scott a LOT of money to make sure their private prisons and private civil commitment center stay stocked. By keeping that stream of income coming in, there’s more money to keep paying Ron Book and the cycle continues.
While this cycle of corruption exists, it’s like being on probation. Everyone on the outside says, “they can’t do that” or “you need to stand up”, but in a political system that is so corrupt, when you are controlled by a dictatorship that can, without any evidence of effectiveness, pass a punitive law on a whim, it’s not that simple.
Then perhaps what is needed is for an “outsider” to come in and fill the gaps. I, for one, have no reason to fear the Books. I received no repercussions last year, and I see no reason I couldn’t repeat my performance if my services weren’t needed elsewhere this year.
A single demonstration won’t change the minds of the Book family. But it would not be about THEM, anyways. You want exposure and a chance to educate? This is one way to do it. I did it and I can say nothing negative about the experience. In fact, you’d be amazed how many folks not only are willing to listen to us, but actually agree with us!
You dismissed Pervert Park which was shot in the back yard of FAC. This film is the same old tripe. The laws have been passed by terrible politics without knowledge of the facts. We need to oust these ultra conservative fanatical maniacal politician’s that feel making names for themselves by passing harsher Sex Offender Laws. The damage of Megans Law is done. Entire Society’s consider RSOs monsters that can never be cured. Society wants tge RSO to die.. go away, leave the planet. The damage is done. Doc Films such as BLACKFISH have the power of changing minds. But getting audiences to agree to reform Sex Offender Laws is a horribly tough road to hoe. JV
Will Pervert Park be featured at Tribeca? I didn’t see it listed.
FAC,
No. Pervert park was filmed about the years ago and released in 2014. It was filmed in St.Pete at Palace Mobile Home park.
The directors were Dutch I believe and
I’d have to double check but I think it caused quite a stir in the community and caused trouble for the owners of the park. Not what we would hope to occur.
Filmed about *THREE years ago
What can be done to change the sentences of the young boys who are handed the sentence of RSO and they are not the sick people who are truly petophiles. What can be done to change this?
Becoming involved in FAC is Step 1