(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Series: "Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence"
Where You Can Stream It: Hulu
The Pitch: True crime media is something I am both engaged in and heavily critical of. If you have been reading my work here at /Film, you'll come to see that it's become a beat of mine, usually highlighting the negative aspects of the subgenre. Despite all the exploitation that the subgenre is known for, I believe that, like all other genres, it has the ability to tell empowering and enlightening stories of survival in an empathetic way. This is why it's unfortunate that so many creatives choose the lazier approach by favoring a more shocking and insensitive route.
This is probably why I...
The Series: "Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence"
Where You Can Stream It: Hulu
The Pitch: True crime media is something I am both engaged in and heavily critical of. If you have been reading my work here at /Film, you'll come to see that it's become a beat of mine, usually highlighting the negative aspects of the subgenre. Despite all the exploitation that the subgenre is known for, I believe that, like all other genres, it has the ability to tell empowering and enlightening stories of survival in an empathetic way. This is why it's unfortunate that so many creatives choose the lazier approach by favoring a more shocking and insensitive route.
This is probably why I...
- 2/28/2023
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Isabella Pollok, a member of the Sarah Lawrence sex cult featured in the Hulu docuseries “Stolen Youth,” was sentenced Wednesday to 54 months in federal prison.
Pollok, 31, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering, avoiding a trial. According to prosecutors, she served as the chief lieutenant to Lawrence Ray, who relied on her to gain the trust of young women whom he would exploit for sex and money.
Ray was sentenced in January to 60 years in prison, after being convicted of extortion, sex trafficking and racketeering.
Under her plea agreement, Pollok faced a maximum of five years in prison. Her attorneys argued, however, that she should face no jail time, and stated that Ray had “brainwashed” her into doing his bidding.
“Isabella did whatever Ray directed,” the defense argued in a sentencing memo. “She does not deny that she enforced his bizarre edicts and philosophies. Rather, by pleading guilty,...
Pollok, 31, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering, avoiding a trial. According to prosecutors, she served as the chief lieutenant to Lawrence Ray, who relied on her to gain the trust of young women whom he would exploit for sex and money.
Ray was sentenced in January to 60 years in prison, after being convicted of extortion, sex trafficking and racketeering.
Under her plea agreement, Pollok faced a maximum of five years in prison. Her attorneys argued, however, that she should face no jail time, and stated that Ray had “brainwashed” her into doing his bidding.
“Isabella did whatever Ray directed,” the defense argued in a sentencing memo. “She does not deny that she enforced his bizarre edicts and philosophies. Rather, by pleading guilty,...
- 2/22/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.