TOLEDO (OH)
Toledo Blade
Russ Lemmon
Six super-size Lemmon Drops:
The Oscar-nominated documentary Twist of Faith presents an "elephant in the room"-type situation for Toledo. That is, we know it's there — it's impossible to ignore — but we don't want to talk about it.
The film, which chronicles the life of Toledo firefighter Tony Comes around the time he went public with allegations of sexual abuse by a former priest, has gone international. It opened earlier this month in New Zealand. Next up is London, with dates in Stockholm, Vancouver, and Rio de Janeiro to follow.
"It's everywhere," said producer Eddie Schmidt, "except Toledo."
You know how some fans of losing football teams sit in the stands with bags over their heads? That's how I feel about Toledo and our continued suppression of Twist of Faith.
There is a glimmer of hope for those unwilling to look the other way, however.
Tom Byrne, northern Ohio regional coordinator for the Catholic group Voice of the Faithful, believes there's a "very, very good chance" that Twist of Faith will be shown in Toledo before the end of the year. He said people in Akron, Cleveland, Dayton, North Canton, Marietta, and Warren have expressed interest in showing it in their communities.