Oscar Winner's 'Explosive' Film about Abuse at Milwaukee's St. John's to Premiere at Toronto Film Festival

By Peter Isely
SNAP Wisconsin
August 1, 2012

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[with video]

I am very pleased to announce that Alex Gibney's new documentary, which details the abuse and cover up of sex crimes against over 200 deaf children at St. John's School in Milwaukee, will have its world-wide premier September 8 at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film widens from the story of survivors, to the secret involvement of the Vatican and Pope Benedict XVI, to the explosive revelations in documents obtained by the New York Times, to the activism of survivors to bring this case to the world, helping to set off a still continuing avalanche of new cases from around the globe.

At the very center of the film, of course, are the remarkable survivors from St. John's. This is really their film. I was honored to help Alex and his outstanding team on this project in any way I could because I believe that his special artistry, skill and passion as the world's leading documentarian would do justice to their remarkable story.

There are plans underway to show the film in Milwaukee, we will let everyone know when the Milwaukee premier will take place. We are planning survivor and public events around the screening, especially timely since 570 victims are now engaged in a difficult and heroic struggle to bring the archdiocese to justice in Federal Bankruptcy Court. I will keep everyone up to date on events and dates.