Two makers of documentaries tackle issue of pornography addiction
The B.C. Catholic
The film-making duo that produced a documentary on prostitution has just released another edgy work.
Michelle and Jared Brock, makers of Red Light Green Light, are on tour with Over 18, a new documentary on pornography addiction.
“We want the world to be a better place. Ignoring tough subjects won’t get us there,” Jared told The B.C. Catholic Oct. 13.
The idea for the new documentary was born after a lunch meeting with a youth leader who revealed to Jared that all 30 men he worked with were addicted to pornography. Jared began looking into the issue.
“I started asking people: ‘When was the first time you saw porn? How old were you? How did it make you feel?’ The majority of folks I’ve asked saw porn before 18. And in almost every case, they didn’t go looking for porn, porn found them.”
Among those he interviewed for the film is Jo, a 13-year-old boy who stumbled across pornography while playing a game on the Internet at age 9.
“Jo’s message to viewers is that you don’t have to keep your porn addiction a secret. You can bring dark things into the light and deal with them.”
Along with recovering pornography addicts like Jo, the Brocks filmed people who used to work or still do in that industry.
“This world is dark and broken, and we want to bring light and healing,” Jared explained. “We see our role as planting seeds of goodness that can grow into a garden of grace, understanding, and justice.”
Jared and Michelle, founders of the Ontario charity Hope for the Sold, hope the documentary sheds light on what society can do to help addicts, parents of addicts, and others.
“We’re doing a petition drive in support of Motion 47. The last time our nation studied the effect of porn on kids was in 1985, pre-Internet.” Motion 47, recently brought before Parliament, requests that the Standing Committee on Health examine the issue of online pornography.
Over 18 will be shown at public events across the country, including in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Surrey, and Vancouver. The Archdiocese of Vancouver will host the film Nov. 7. Info: www.over18doc.com/screenings.
