Compelling Film on Clergy Abuse in the Big Easy Earns Top Honor
A eye-opening film investigating the systemic misconduct by religious leaders in the historic city has lately won the award for outstanding film at the Winter Park movie celebration.
Named “God As My Witness,” the film highlights that those who commit these atrocities cannot hide, while giving a platform to those affected and pushing for accountability.
Presentations of the film at the event in the beginning of fall apparently sold out, with several audience members visibly affected by the story.
Directed by local filmmaker and produced by Michael Brandner Sr, the feature-length film draws from personal experiences, including the uncovering of correspondence written by a priest recognized of child molestation.
The narrative also includes several survivors who experienced assault while growing up in religious environments in New Orleans.
Additionally, the documentary covers the bankruptcy situation encountered by the local archdiocese, which entered financial reorganization in mid-2020 due to widespread allegations of clergy abuse.
Up until current updates, the legal process remains unresolved, though over 600 of survivors are now deciding on a potential resolution valued at $230 million.
The director and producer were presented with the best documentary on September 7. The producer described that witnessing survivors receive the honor was deeply emotional.
“These individuals transitioned from an injured party to someone who endured to champion,” the producer noted. “It was profoundly beautiful.”
Earlier than the Winter Park event, the film had been shortlisted for best feature documentary at the international cinema gathering in early summer.
Additionally, it premiered at a festival in a foreign country, where it was authorized to be presented in a sacred setting by a religious leader.
Per festival organizers, the documentary effectively making a local topic into a universal one.
In the future, the documentary is likely set to be shown at the upcoming hometown celebration in the end of the month.
Passes for that festival are scheduled to be released in mid-October.
