DOCUMENTARY: Living After Rape

 

LIVING AFTER RAPE DOCUMENTARY

15 March 2011

So here is what I know right now:

People who have lived through rape, people who love people who have lived through rape, and people who rape - are all people.  This probably seems obvious and could easily inspire an overt “Duh,” except that somehow people don’t seem to know this. We come in all shapes and sizes.  We come in a multitude of genders and ethnicities.  We populate a vast cross section of economic and professional spheres.  We come from and create a variety of different family types.  We have a vast range of both talents and disabilities.  We are generally hyper-vigilant and sensitive to a variety of changing stimuli. Huge numbers of Humans all over the world know and live rape and its’ aftermath.  AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US HAS A STORY.

This project is an endeavor to tell the stories, while crafting a particular story to put into the public arena.  Narrowing the scope of this documentary’s story is what has occupied me for this period of time. 

I feel apologetic about not immediately responding to the numerous heart-felt responses I have received.  I engage in this ‘writing-back’, a bit each day.  Each and every person who has reached across to support this project has my utmost respect and appreciation.   And all of you will hear from me, as I am able.  If you have not heard from me, please do send me another note, as I do not want to lose anyone.

The email for this documentary is:  livingafterrape@gmail.com

As I have sat with the letters I’ve received during these many weeks several things have become clear. 

• 1.   My hope is to make a series of these films, this first one delineated by particular demographic factors, the ones to follow drawing on others.

• 2.   There is an extraordinary pool of talented, enthusiastic, creative and skillful people who are passionate about both filmmaking in general and the crafting of the documentary: ‘Living After Rape’ specifically.   Following the general principle of  ‘too many cooks can spoil the goose,’ I’ve decided to seek: 

·      1 Documentary Filmmaker to film

·      1 experienced Lighting Technician

·      1 Audio Technician

·      1 Musical Director to score

·      1 person to assist in general overall production 

·      1 person with extensive writing/fund-raising experience and connections (PR manager) 

           

               In respect to the sensitive subject matter, the core creative ensemble will remain small, work hard to create a tight supportive crew, and receive direction from the Artistic Director (me) Andrea Bredbeck. We will, of course, need additional assistance and support in a variety of skill areas which will become more clear as we progress.

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS PRODUCTION EFFORT, PLEASE CONTACT/RE-CONTACT ME AND WE WILL ARRANGE FOR A TIME TO MEET, SKYPE AND/OR TALK BY PHONE.  FOLLOWING THIS YOU WILL BE ASKED TO SUBMIT A SAMPLE OR PORTFOLIO OF YOUR WORK.

Having narrowed the scope of this project, I have come to the following conclusions (PENDING FUTURE CHANGES):

·      The documentary ‘Living After Rape’ intends to interview people whose first incident of rape happened when they were 16 or older, people who love a person whose first incident of rape happened when that person was 16 or older and people who have raped when they were 16 or older.

·      Additionally, I am specifically seeking interviewees who have lived through approximately ten years following the initial incident.

ANYONE WHO HAS LIVED A STORY THAT FITS THESE PARAMETERS, PLEASE CONTACT/RE-CONTACT ME AND WE WILL SET UP A TIME TO TALK.  WE CAN HAVE THE INITIAL CONVERSATION EITHER BY PHONE OR SKYPE.

I am acutely aware that there are many people with rape-related stories who do not fit into these initial, specific parameters.  All of these stories matter.  I have chosen to narrow the scope for this FIRST film in deference to the specific story I want to explore.  I dearly hope to be able to continue to craft for film the many experiences that fall within other timelines.  Because of this, if you are willing, I’d like to interview you and safely archive our dialogue as part of a growing collection of material for potential future films.

WORDS TO MINE

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS:

                        RAPE: Spelled [reyp]  Show IPA noun, verb, raped, rap·ing.

–noun

1. the unlawful compelling of a woman through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse.

2. any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person.

3. statutory rape

4. an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation: the rape of the countryside.

5. Archaic . the act of seizing and carrying off by force.

–verb (used with object)

6. to force to have sexual intercourse.

7. to plunder (a place); despoil.

8. to seize, take, or carry off by force.  –verb (used without object)

9. to commit rape.

VICTIM                 

1. a living being sacrificed to a deity, in the performance of a religious rite  2.  one that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent <the schools are victims of the social system>: as a (1) : one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed under any of various conditions <a victim of cancer> <a victim of the auto crash> <a murder victim> (2) : one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment <a frequent victim of political attacks> b : one that is tricked or duped <a con man's victim>  Related to VICTIM,   Synonyms: fatality, loss, prey, casualty

SURVIVOR: –noun

1.  a person or thing that survives.

2.  Law . the one of two or more designated persons, as joint tenants or others having a joint interest, who outlives the other or others.

3.  a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

PERPETRATE –verb (used with object), -trat·ed, -trat·ing.

1.  to commit: to perpetrate a crime.

2.  to present, execute, or do in a poor or tasteless manner: Who perpetrated this so-called comedy?

Origin: 1540–50
—Related forms

per·pe·tra·ble  /ˈpɜrpɪtrəbəl/ Show Spelled[pur-pi-truh-buhl] adjective

per·pe·tra·tion, noun

per·pe·tra·tor, noun

non·per·pe·tra·tion, noun

un·per·pe·trat·ed, adjective

Related Words for: perpetrator, culprit

AFTER – preposition

1. behind in place or position; following behind: men lining up one after the other.

2. later in time than; in succession to; at the close of: Tell me after supper. Day after day he came to work late.

3. subsequent to and in consequence of: After what has happened, I can never return.

CHOICE - noun, adjective, choic·er, choic·est.

–noun

1.  an act or instance of choosing;  selection: Her choice of a computer was made after months of research. His parents were not happy with his choice of friends.

2.  the right, power, or opportunity to choose;  option: The child had no choice about going to school.

3.  the person or thing chosen or eligible to be chosen: This book is my choice. He is one of many choices for the award.

4.  an alternative: There is another choice.

5.  an abundance or variety from which to choose: a wide choice of candidates.

6.  something that is preferred or preferable to others; the best part of something: Mare's Nest is the choice in the sixth race.

REMEMBER – verb (used with object)

1.  to recall to the mind by an act or effort of memory; think of again: I'll try to remember the exact date.

2.  to retain in the memory; keep in mind; remain aware of: Remember your appointment with the dentist.

3.  to have (something) come into the mind again: I just remembered that it's your birthday today.

4.  to bear (a person) in mind as deserving a gift, reward, or fee: The company always remembers us at Christmas.

5.  to give a tip, donation, or gift to: to remember the needy.

6.  to mention (a person) to another as sending kindly greetings: Remember me to your family.

7.  (of an appliance, computer, etc.) to perform (a programmed activity) at a later time or according to a preset schedule: The coffeepot remembers to start the coffee at 7 a.m. every day.

8.  Archaic . to remind.

–verb (used without object)

9.  to possess or exercise the faculty of memory.

10.  to have recollection (sometimes followed by of ): The old man remembers of his youth.

The Strangest dream last night moves towards a reality today!

I am no longer just hoping for participation because participation is happening.

We are no longer hoping to start the process of making the Documentary: Living After Rape.
WE ARE MAKING the Documentary: Living After Rape.

There isn’t a day that goes by, nor, in all honesty, a half-day, an hour, and unfortunately not
even just one minute that the incidents of violence in our world stops. I am acutely aware of
this with every breath I take. I am also acutely aware of how precious it is that I get to take
these breaths.

This awareness of possibility in each second that is lived is one of the possible by-products of
trauma. I’d never have wished my story on myself and I certainly wouldn’t wish it on anyone
else. However, given that the rapes have already happened, learning to harvest the skills that
evolve out of the adaptations is essential. And one of these has to do with knowing all the
way down to my toes that life can change in a fraction of a second. That the very lens through
which one perceives can shatter and, while re-constructible, it will never be -- that it was un-
shattered – ever again. Living with this knowledge is excruciating. Living with this knowledge
is exquisite. Because with this comes a passion to have each and every moment.

In my continued effort to actualize this film, and with the awe and respect I owe to everyone
who has responded, I have been busy creating a digital foundation:

Contact us Through E-mail
Visit Our Facebook Page

As I work my way through responding individually to each person who has contacted me and setting up times to meet and/or meet by ‘skype’, the best way to help assure the making of this documentary is for anyone who feels comfortable to send the information through your own digital tree of contacts. We need people to ‘follow’ this blog. We need people to ‘like’ the FB page.

Living After Rape

LAST NIGHT I HAD THE STRANGEST DREAM (thank you Joan Baez)(thanks to the composer, Ed McCurdy)

And from whatever or wherever the creative inspirations dwell, they rose up to force unequivocal action. It’s not as if I haven’t filmed this piece a million times. My minds-eye is an amazing camera. It is true though, that the piece has run only in my own head and heart. Having recently been asked about my deepest heart’s desire seems to have tapped the wellsprings of my ability to face my own fears, thank them and move forward.

This work needs to be in the world. And I know this. DO YOU WANT TO HELP ME MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

I seek people with an interest in working with me to craft a documentary film: LIVING AFTER RAPE. At this stage, I want to hear from people with a passion for the subject AND a passion (skills) for any and all aspects of documentary film-making. First we put together a cohesive ensemble group. Then we make the work. At this point there is no money for this film. Judging by the response, I imagine there will be at some point. But there are no guarantees. Only an enormous hope (and confidence) that this documentary will be completed and seen.

Please only reply if you are for real. If you respond, and you are legit, you will receive an email back. We will set up a time to talk by phone and assuming you are genuine, a time for a meeting will be set up.

The film-maker (me) is a survivor of three violent rapes, a psychotherapist treating trauma survivors for 25 years and a writer/artist/filmmaker.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to participate in the making of this important work.

SEEKING 3 (!) population groups of people who are willing to be film interviewed, either openly or anonymously: (1) People who have lived through rape. (2) People who love people who have lived through rape. And (3) People who have raped.

Please feel free to pass this information along. We need a wide variety of ages and ethnicities. If you have any suggestions for additional places I might post my search for interview-ees, the information will be deeply appreciated.

The story of the ‘AFTER’ lies hidden in a cultural denial so deep that many people who have lived through these events feel (and often are) invisible. If the hurt-ers, the hurt-ees, and the loved ones of both, all knew two important things, these crimes might not be perpetrated:

1. The ramifications of the events exist whether acknowledged or not. AND without the stories and a validating environment to receive them, the adaptations to these stories pass genetically down through the generations (Epigenetics).

 2. The scars, the wounding, and the subsequent skills required to craft a life in the ‘AFTER’ between the hurt-ers, the hurt-ees and the loved ones of both -- once the initial event has been lived through -- are uncannily the same.

I have written many pieces that all started with the same song: ‘Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream’. This time, this wonderful song catalyzes a film.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF YOUR INTEREST, YOUR SUPPORT and/or YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP ME IN THE CRAFT TO MAKE IT.

Thank you.


Andrea Bredbeck
LivingAfterRape@gmail.com