An Open Secret (2014)

An investigation into accusations of teenagers being sexually abused within the film industry.

Director:

Amy Berg

Writers:

Amy Berg, Lorien Haynes

Stars:

Evan Henzi, Michael Egan III, Mark Ryan

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Evan Henzi	...	Himself
Michael Egan III	...	Himself
Mark Ryan	...	Himself
Joey Coleman	...	Himself
Nicholas Stojanovich	...	Himself (as Nick Stojanovich)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jesse Bering	...	Himself
Todd Bridges	...	Himself
Dawn Chmielewski	...	Herself
Marc Collins-Rector	...	Himself (archive footage)
John Connolly	...	Himself
Corey Feldman	...	Himself (archive footage)
James G.
Michael Harrah	...	Himself
Anne Henry	...	Herself
David Neuman	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

AN OPEN SECRET looks at the lives of children betrayed and abandoned by a system that essentially funnels them towards sexual predators without any oversight or regard for their safety. It documents not only these young peoples' experiences, but also how some have emerged stronger for their speaking out. It beg the questions of why children working in entertainment aren't afforded the same protections they are afforded at school, and argues for more effective treatment and stronger penalties for child sex offenders.

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Plot Keywords:

casting couch | children | film industry | f rated | drugs | 

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Taglines:

The Secret Hollywood Doesn't Want You to Know.

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Genres:

Documentary | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG - 13 for disturbing thematic content involving child sexual abuse and its ramifications

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un secreto a voces

Company Credits

Production Co:

Disarming Films,Esponda Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

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Soundtracks

Guete Sunntig Mitenand
Written by Artur Beul

User Reviews

Unfortunately More Bones Than Meat

I have been excited to see this film since I caught a glimpse of the trailer. My father was a projectionist when I was young so I spent plenty of time at theaters in and out of the booth watching movies. During the 80's and 90's, a lot of child actors came and went and I'd always wondered where some had gone. I figured the worst and hoped this Documentary would shed some light on possible outcomes that had befallen some of them. "An Open Secret" starts with footage from Different Strokes episode with the bicycle shop and commentary from Todd Bridges explaining that he wasn't comfortable with the episodes topics and wanted little to nothing to do with it. Additional commentary leads to interviews with former child actors/performers and their parents recounting early stories entering the business. We are then introduced to names from the industry such as Michael Harrah, a SAG Youth Organization official, Marc Collins-Rector, a convicted Child Molester and former industry giant, Brian Peck, a producer of children's television for major networks, and Bryan Singer, famed Director of the X-Men franchises. How do these names relate to each other? All are accused of using their connections to sexually molesting young actors. Unfortunately for viewers, the film barely scratches the surface. There is audio of conversations between victims and abusers. There is a little background into other accused offenders but the majority of the film revolves around Michael Harrah's accusations as a manager and it's effects on the storied of 3 primary subjects. One which ends rather tragically. I understand that a certain portion of the film had been edited due to the dropped lawsuit between one of the main subjects but, I felt like they could have explored more into the allegations. There is definitely something going on in the hills of Hollywood and behind the doors of Power Players in the industry. Assuming besides this being a rather quiet topic, there isn't a lot of information available due to actors not talking afraid their careers would be affected.I applaud Amy Berg's attempt to shine light on the subject. It just seems that further investigation and follow up would further fold the story together better. It is worth a viewing and hopefully this film will encourage other victims to come forward to help find an end to the epidemic of child abuse. The Documentary fanatic me just wished there was more information