First Look: Surviving Straight Inc.
Hopefully this isn't considered promotion, just trying to get the word out.
10 years ago I posted an
article online about my brother and his experience with Straight Inc. an abusive cult rehab started by the Sembler's in 1976. He was one of the many who didn't survive.
Over the years I have reconnected with literally thousands of people who went through Straight. Many of us have become friends, we've created our own support group(s) online. About 4 years ago my husband (a survivor of Straight), myself and 2 other survivors discussed the possibility of making a documentary.
In 2008 I connected with a film student at FSU who wanted to make a short film for his class about Straight. I assisted him in his short film and he (now a graduate of FSU) and 3 of his friends are assisting us in our documentary. We now have a full trailer online and the film is due to be done in a few weeks.
I have several hopes for this film:
1. To honor those who are no longer with us
2. To honor those who survived
3. To promote healing among survivors
4. To expose those responsible (Mel Sembler, Mel Riddile, Betty Sembler, Miller Newton, etc.)
5. To raise awareness since we know this problem still exists in the form of AARC (in canada) and many other abusive programs that are currently alive and well in America.
You can see the trailer on the movie site:
http://www.survivingstraightincthemovie.comWe also have a
Facebook page about it!
And we have the trailer on
YouTube!
Feel free to share these links! I'm very happy to be a part of this project. My brother and the countless others who committed suicide because of Straight did not die in vain.
Thanks for reading,
Kelly