As this movie is based on a true story, does anybody know what happened after the trial? Usually at the end of a true movie, writing comes up telling you what happened after, but not on this one.
Were the children sent back to live with their mother? Was he ever charged with abusing his other kids? How long did he spend in jail?
I liked the film, but felt it left too many questions unanswered.
Where is your source for this being a true story? I didn't read anywhere in the film or description that it is based on a true story
shareIt's shown on a channel called True Movies in the UK with the info blurb starting -
"The true story of an eleven year old girl..."
Really? Then why isn't any reference made here in the US of it being a true story? I mean it's a Canadian movie and the UK might have made a mistake since it seems awfully vivid just like cases that do seem to often happen these days. Just being on a channel dedicated to true stories doesn't eliminate the possibility of this notion being a mistake. Anyway I thought it was rather odd how the man's oldest daughter couldn't remember any of those abusive things he did to her when she was Kelly's age. It wasn't until his young son Patrick (Kelly's little brother) had a horrifying reaction from his uncle approaching him naked in the bathroom that the oldest daughters memories suddenly returned. Have you ever heard of anything similiar to that happening in real life?
Long live the 80's!
I don't think she necessarily forgot her father abused her, she was just in denial and was trying to repress years of abuse.
She didn't want to believe it was true.
"My teacher says true beauty is found within"
"That's just something ugly people say"
It says so on the DVD case that it's based on a true story. However, I've been trying to find the actual case on which this film was based and nothing turned up so who knows.
Actually, that's not odd at all that Chrissie couldn't remember being abused. It's kind of an automatic self-defence mechanism of the brain. The experience is just so bad and traumatic that you start to deny it and you end up blocking everything. Subconsciously, you know it happened but consciously you're in complete denial that it ever happened at all.
TrueMovies sometimes shows movies that are not true. They showed Feast for All Saints and that's a novel.
shareMary and Nini's reaction to Gil's conviction at the end just ripped my heart out but Gil got what he deserved!
shareAnd Patrick was approached by his brother-in-law, not his uncle.
shareAll right well you all make reasonable points but the only one I fully agree with is Patrick being approached in the bathroom by his brother-in-law not his uncle. At that age though it is quite unusual to have a married sibling so my mis-observation in that matter I think was to be expected. Now Chrissy must have been abused extremely young for her memories to have been blocked that well. I have painful childhood memories also which it disgusts me to think about but blocking them to the point where they don't exist unless a really compelling experience is undertaken such as someone touching me in suggestive ways now is hard to consider. They call these memories the most forgettable but then why did my grandmother remember such horrible experiences from her father when she was in her 70's? As for why this discussion got started originally I still refuse to believe it's a true story. If it is then what IS the true story? I'm sure there are plenty of similar true stories happening right now and others that happened throughout time but as for this one itself being true it never happened. The only real-life truth within it is that when it was created it was given the tagline as based on a true story to draw attention and build up credit for the film making show-offs!
Long live the 80's!
It's been well over 20 years since it came out. Who knows who the real people are or not? But if they are real, I hope they all are doing well in their lives.
shareDifferent people react different ways to traumatic events. Some people repress the memories. Because one person remembers does not mean another person won't forget.
shareI'm glad Kelly came forward and told on her father and I also feel bad for her younger sister, Nini about having to lose her father at such a young age because he abused Kelly, Christina and Patrick. And I wonder where Kelly's teacher was taking Nini in the end.
shareWow ... I saw this when it aired originally on CANADIAN TV ...
I do recall it was based on a true story ...
Very sad to think that it was real ...
I doubt those who replied above will read this but I'd like to explain things from an abused child's point of view. Many above do not seem to understand how someone could forget or not remember being sexually abused as a child. I was sexually abused by a family friend (a friend's stepdad) for over 2-3 1/2yrs. He also abused my friend and most likely other girls. He would film things and take photos. He would invite friends over and his brother. This began when I was about 8yrs old.
I did not remember things about this until I was about 13. We had moved to another state so I was away from this man. I had a flashback memory of being hit then raped. The memory was so traumatic to me and so scary. I was very confused too. I also felt what is called "memory pain". I felt like I had been assaulted right then and there. I thought I was going crazy. I told no one because I couldn't believe myself. Not long after that I started cutting myself and fell into deep depression. I did not have any more memories of this until I was about 15. I had more and more memories of what happened to me. I was so upset I finally gave in and told my parents. I didn't know how to bring it up so I gave them a pamphlet I got at school about sexual abuse. The look on my parent's faces was so upsetting and troubling that I lied. I told them it only happened once. My mom told me and I quote "This was a long time ago, let's just forget it and don't tell anyone." I couldn't believe it. I didn't say another word about it and slowly went crazy. I attempted suicide a few times and even threw myself down our basement steps. By 17 I was put in a mental hospital for my own safety. By then I had many more memories.
I'm now in my 40s. I've learned over the years that children have to protect themselves so they can survive. How else can they go on with their daily lives of school and playing? I asked my therapist this once blaming myself. How could I go home and act normal? A lot of my child is happy memories.
Continued - Those who abused me threatened my family. They said they would kill them and do the same to my little sister and also my friend's little sisters. One of the men who abused me was a very well known successful lawyer and he used that to threaten me too. Plus there is a shame. A child being abused for so long often gives up fighting and allows it to happen. The shame also comes from the times where the abuser is kind and nice. They buy you gifts and stuff. My dad was a workaholic and rarely around. I hated to admit it but I liked that a father type guy was around and liked me. So because of all this, a child stuffs all the memories down inside to survive. Then years later like my own situation, you feel safe and then the memories return rather you want them there or not. I even now still get new memories. They still trouble me.
Hopefully, this helps many understand how and why abused people forget things or don't remember. It is for our own survival.
Those wondering there was never any charges against my abusers. I was told it was too late to report anything. My parents couldn't remember my friend's stepdads name when asked multiple times. All I know is his first name. I have no doubt him and these other members were hurting other kids. I also learned in therapy that all the photos and video these men took are still floating around somewhere. Even in the 80s child porn was popular and sold. I was also told it is likely online now too. It's horrible to even think about. Whenever I see a pervert online joking or even talking about child porn I am tempted to tell them they just may be watching me.
I’m sorry you went through all that.
shareThanks. I’ve had people ask why I still talk about the abuse and the reason is because each time I talk I’m doing exactly what my abusers didn’t want to me to do. I’m telling. I also talk to encourage others to talk and show they are not alone. Words are powerful and I have no shame in talking about this.
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