An Open Secret

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

"An Open Secret" is a rather ironic film. After all, it seeks to expose abuse in Hollywood AND it could not find a distributor to release it...which seems to confirm that Hollywood really couldn't care less about the evil that is occuring in its midst. And, while there have been a few complaints that it didn't get every single fact straight (one of the participants later took back some of their comments in the film), it is unique because it even mentions names in the television and movie industry. It is very compelling and you can't blame it for not mentioning everyone...it is at least a good start.

The movie focuses in particular on the experience of five child actors. Most are on hand to tell their story...some is told by family and friends. All point to minimal sentences of many pedophiles and many returning to work in the industry AFTER their convictions!

The film is generally well made and apart from a few edits I might have suggested, is excellent throughout. What I would really love is to see an updated version. Has anything changed since 2014...or is it still business as usual. I can only assume that nothing really has changed and the industry is simply doing lipservice to the problem.

If you want to see this film, it is currently free to watch at Vimeo's website. Again, this is because the film can find no other means of distribution.Not perfect...but very compelling.

This documentary focuses on how deeply entrenched the paedophiles at various levels in Hollywood are. And how Hollywood protects them all. How children have been exploited and abused for decades. How the law is so lax in Low Angeles there no welfare protection for child actors. The law favours the studios to whatever they like. Why are we letting children be abused sex slaves all at the expense our need for entertainment. A movement needs to be mobilise with #MeToo specifically to protect children from exploitation, abuse, suffering and a lifetime of psychological and physical scars.

This film explores a dynamite subject with extra care and precision. Other comments here are reasonable. The film only goes so far, and it is pretty careful. Its attitude is nearly perfect. I knocked off one point for the film's not trying to show how heterosexual culture is always grooming the kids for participation later, and the gay culture therefore has made some mistakes trying to invent a way forward in secret. The film is only talking about issues concerning the effects of male pedophiles in Hollywood, and can't cover everything. What they cover is done pretty well, and that's saying a lot for a topic which often can bring more anger or confusion or circumlocution than understanding. That's surely true of heterosexual pedophilia and exploitation of young adult women in Hollywood too. Probably some of the unhealthy interest in exploiting children and young adult women was incubated in persons whose sexual development occurred in an atmosphere of fear and secrecy, or too much privilege and not enough guidance. Watching this film might help many persons avoid mistakes in behavior and mistakes in interpretation. It could help parents and the public form and implement better oversight without being too intrusive.

I don't think it matters how well done this documentary is - the story is the point. Letting the victims speak and organizing it in a way that reveals the truth is why i found this documentary compelling. I think everyone could learn something from this. And don't get stuck on the acting industry alone - this issue is bigger than Hollywood.