Event

Boy's School

Boy's School
Dir. Ric Acevedo (USA 2017)
Run time: 1 hour 20 min
Feature Documentary

Director Statement:
Boys School is the story of a group of men that passed through the halls of the controversial reform school known as the Dozier School for Boys. This project is very significant because it addresses various subjects from abuse of power, to the need for some kind reform in the American penal system. Several men were affected, scarred for life, and rendered powerless to lead normal lives. While some may say that these men deserved to be there, others will vehemently argue that they were victims of a corrupt, under policed, small town system. For over 111 years this school remained opened and for almost as long there was no real attention paid to what went on inside.
This film took over one year to complete, it was a difficult process as we often relied on limited resources and manpower. Emotionally, this was a taxing journey for everyone involved.

This is indeed a hard documentary to watch, as it is so unbelievable to a decent person that something of this magnitude could happen in a "civilized" society. I believe it unveils the ugly underbelly of an over militant USA where might equals right. We dont rehabilitate people, we make them worse... The extreme tragedy is that stories like these are not uncommon and not indigenous to the States, yet are so under the radar the general public is not even aware it is going on right under their noses. And those that do know choose to look the other way because it is easier to not get involved. I have more contempt for those people than those that committed the atrocities. AN