Educational Media Reviews Online

This film comes from Scenarios USA, a nonprofit that encourages leadership and advocates a voice for teens through the making of films. Written by Roxanne Lasker-Hall, a 16-year-old in Cleveland, Ohio, Speechless tells the story of Desmond who carries a dark secret. Since he was sexually assaulted by his sister’s boyfriend, he has been dealing with feelings that have shaken him and left him feeling all alone. Finally, because he finds he can talk to a friend and to his father, he can relate what happened.

The production values of this film are excellent, since the young student scriptwriter was paired with film professionals. The realistic drama portrays emotion in a way that will appeal to teens. Music is well-integrated and contributes to the emotion and power of the drama. Since the focus is on a male victim of sexual assault, the film gives a different perspective to the topic and will inform students who may not realize its prevalence. At the very end of the film the writer Lasker-Hall appears.

The film may be viewed with subtitles in English or Spanish. Additional material includes one panel of text about the film, still pictures from the film and its production, and a behind-the-scenes short movie in which various people involved in the production discuss their roles and the value of Scenarios USA.

The DVD can be inserted into a computer to access a copy of the script and a lesson plan that includes goals, Common Core Standards, learning competencies and objectives, nine activities plus extension activities, and a list of sexual assault resources.

Bonus features include a Scenarios USA reel of previews; an interview with Maura Minsky, executive director and cofounder of Scenarios USA; a short piece on REAL DEAL teacher workshops, which explains the education and health issues that are a big part of this program and how students can benefit; one panel of text about Scenarios USA (www.scenariosusa.org), and the list of REAL DEAL films which provides links to information on films and previews.

This film would be ideal for high school classes, both for its subject and for its explanation of the program behind the film and its opportunities for teens. Public libraries might also consider purchase for their teen collections.