PRESS RELEASE
May 27, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Cosette Ratliff, Supervising Librarian, 510-747-7716
Jane Chisaki, Library Director, 510-747-7747
Alameda Free Library to Premiere Documentary Pervert Park
How can we solve a societal problem that, for most people, is too horrifying to discuss or even contemplate?
That is the central question raised by Pervert Park, a film about the people nobody wants as their neighbors—convicted sex offenders. Alameda Free Library will premier this PBS/POV documentary on June 15th beginning at 6:30 pm in the Main Library meeting room (1550 Oak St, Alameda). There will be time for an informal group discussion after the film and there will be additional resource materials available for those who want to continue learning about the issue.
Everyone is welcome at this free event. Due to the nature of the material, parents are advised to use their best judgment about bringing children to the screening.
Pervert Park raises significant questions. Should America give these criminals a second chance? And can their experiences help in devising a successful strategy for reducing the growing number of sex crimes?
“These are the crimes that are often too painful or uncomfortable to discuss,” say filmmakers Frida and Lasse Barkfors. “These are the people no one wants to live amongst. These are the neighbors we wish away and, through sex offender laws and labeling, literally and figuratively move to the outskirts of our towns and our lives. Although many of their crimes are unspeakable, what do we, as a community, gain from our willful silence? If we hope to curb the cycle and culture of sexual violence, is there value in exploring the lives of sex offenders, regardless of how heartbreaking and difficult it might be?”
This film will air on POV (Point of View) July 11, 2016 on most PBS stations. A trailer, and additional information about the film, can be found at http://www.pbs.org/pov/pervertpark/.
About the Filmmakers:
Frida Barkfors (Director)
Frida Barkfors was born and raised in Sweden. She studied in the directing fiction program at the National Film School of Denmark from 2005 to 2009. She is currently working on her second documentary feature with her husband, Lasse, as well as her first feature fiction film.
Lasse Barkfors (Director)
Lasse Barkfors was born and raised in Denmark. He studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 2007 to 2012. He is currently working on his second documentary feature with his wife, Frida, as well as his first feature fiction film, which will premiere in 2016.
Pervert Park is a production of De Andra and Final Cut for Real.
