STORY
Broken tells the tale of a little boy who runs from his troubled home only to be returned to it by the unwitting police officer who finds him. The officer, believing he had simply stumbled upon an adventurous child, realizes there may be more to the story only as he
comes face to face with the boy’s mother.
Inspired by real life events, Broken is a story of broken family, a broken system and broken spirits. The hope lies in the lessons we can learn from it.
STORY
Broken tells the tale of a little boy who runs from his troubled home only to be returned to it by the unwitting police officer who finds him. The officer, believing he had simply stumbled upon an adventurous child, realizes there may be more to the story only as he
comes face to face with the boy’s mother.
Inspired by real life events, Broken is a story of broken family, a broken system and broken spirits. The hope lies in the lessons we can learn from it.
Writer’s Note
I was 12 or 13.
My brother brought the officer to the house and my first thought was, “Uh oh.” I knew how angry my mother would be and, as unpredictable and precarious as our situation was, I didn’t know how this would shake out. I also didn’t know where my father was or where my grandmother lived or what would happen if I told the officer the truth. So I lied and chose to stick with the devil I knew.
In the years since, I’ve wondered what that officer was thinking as he drove away. I know he was disappointed; that much was plainly written on his face. But, besides that…was he angry, sad, hurt by my lack of faith in him? (He couldn’t have known, but trusted adults had betrayed me before.) How had the situation at our house touched him? Did it affect his relationship with his own children?
This film is a byproduct of that curiosity. As for the kids and how they turned out? Just ask me.
WRITER’S NOTE
I was 12 or 13.
My brother brought the officer to the house and my first thought was, “Uh oh.” I knew how angry my mother would be and, as unpredictable and precarious as our situation was, I didn’t know how this would shake out. I also didn’t know where my father was or where my grandmother lived or what would happen if I told the officer the truth. So I lied and chose to stick with the devil I knew.
In the years since, I’ve wondered what that officer was thinking as he drove away. I know he was disappointed; that much was plainly written on his face. But, besides that…was he angry, sad, hurt by my lack of faith in him? (He couldn’t have known, but trusted adults had betrayed me before.) How had the situation at our house touched him? Did it affect his relationship with his own children?
This film is a byproduct of that curiosity. As for the kids and how they turned out? Just ask me.
Director’s Note
Up until I read “Broken” I had never given the subject of child abuse much thought, not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t know the severity of this problem in our country. The United States has one of the worst records on child abuse. A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
Every. Ten. Seconds.
It just so happened that I had my first child when this script fell into my lap. I remember staring at this precious life thinking to myself, “How could anyone abuse a child?” It brought me to tears.
We made “Broken” so that we can shed light on the reality facing this nation. Many times it is not a happy ending.
We can change that by increasing awareness of child abuse. Be aware of the children around you in need of help.
It’s time to break the cycle.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Up until I read “Broken” I had never given the subject of child abuse much thought, not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t know the severity of this problem in our country. The United States has one of the worst records on child abuse. A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
Every. Ten. Seconds.
It just so happened that I had my first child when this script fell into my lap. I remember staring at this precious life thinking to myself, “how could anyone abuse a child?” It brought me to tears.
We made “Broken” so that we can shed light on the reality facing this nation. Many times it is not a happy ending.
We can change that by increasing awareness of child abuse. Be aware of the children around you in need of help.
It’s time to break the cycle.