Battered Hearts 2005
Distributed by Fanlight Productions, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Creed Spencer
Directed by Creed Spencer
DVD, color, 27 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Domestic Violence, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology
Date Entered: 12/28/2005
Reviewed by Robin Migliaccio Ashford, Reference Librarian, Watzek Library, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, ORSurvivors of domestic abuse, as well as recovering abusers, can be compelling advocates for change. Battered Hearts is a documentary created to increase awareness of domestic violence, and of programs available to those seeking help. Through interviews with both abusers and victims of abuse, the goal to increase awareness of some problems and solutions is realized. Included in the discussion are those working in intervention programs, non-profit groups, and volunteers. Unfortunately, organization and production problems detract from the film’s contents.
The DVD is poorly organized, lacking in introductions and narration, and doesn’t transition well. The quality of the production has an amateurish feel with jumpy camera shots, an eight-second blank screen, and overall poor camera work. Bottom line, what could have been a compelling documentary fails.
The information in this film could be of value to those seeking help with domestic violence issues, but because of reasons stated above it is not recommended.