Feature Film Strong Men: Penn State Scandal Just Tip of the Iceberg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Woodland Hills, California, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) February 1, 2012 -- According to recent studies, one in 6 young men under the age of 16 has been sexually abused. The short film prequel and the feature film Strong Men tackles the underlying issues surrounding the Penn State scandal, the Priest Abuse scandal, and Hollywood child abuse scandals.

"I have been working on the script for Strong Men for over 20 years," says writer/producer Jamison Leigh, "but I really felt it didn't have a voice until I was able to embrace the idea of writing from experience. When I embraced it and decided to be fearless in my storytelling, amazing things have started to happen."

According to Leigh, "While this film depicts a small town that is turned upside down when its hometown hero, a victim of male sexual abuse, commits suicide, the problem is unfortunately very real. We realize that it is a sensitive subject, but we must give a voice to those men who suffer, to let them know that they're not alone."

The film not only covers male sexual abuse among minors, but also covers the sensitive subject of gay bashing, with the unlikely hero of the film being a survivor of a horrific hate crime. "Strong Men is a superhero movie to an extent," says Leigh, "because the superheroes of this piece are ordinary guys who go through extraordinary circumstances in order save themselves and each other."

The indie ensemble film is currently engaging in an Indiegogo campaign in order to raise funds to create a short film prequel which will stand on its own and to introduce the main characters of the feature film, all of whom have been damaged in some way, shape or form by the fictional high school's wrestling team sexual abuse scandal.

In keeping with the 1 in 6 theme, the "Be the One of the 600" campaign is looking for donations of $25 from 600 people to cover the costs of the short film; 10% of all monies raised up to $15K will be donated to various charities who are assisting victims of men's sexual abuse; the donation will double for any amount raised over $15K. The more people give to see the film made, the more the producers can donate to help victims of mens sexual abuse.

The producers of Strong Men are currently developing alliances with several nonprofits to bring awareness to the film and awareness of this often unreported tragedy.

David Sabbath ("God Don't Make The Laws") is in talks to direct. The feature film will go into production in the Summer, with a release date TBA.

feature film     gay bashing     GLBT issues     indie film     Male Sexual Abuse     Oscars     penn state     Strong Men