Capturing the Friedmans
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| Capturing the Friedmans | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Andrew Jarecki |
| Produced by | Andrew Jarecki Marc Smerling |
| Starring | Arnold Friedman Elaine Friedman David Friedman Seth Friedman Jesse Friedman |
| Music by | Bill Harrington Andrea Morricone |
| Cinematography | Adolfo Doring |
| Editing by | Richard Hankin |
| Distributed by | Magnolia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | May 30, 2003 |
| Running time | 107 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Capturing the Friedmans is a documentary film directed by Andrew Jarecki. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Documentary Feature in 2003.
[edit] History
Jarecki initially was going to make a film about children's birthday party entertainers in New York, including the popular David Friedman.
Meanwhile David Friedman's brother, Jesse, and his father, Arnold, had been convicted of child sexual abuse. Jarecki interviewed many of the children involved and ended up making a film about the Friedmans themselves.
[edit] Plot synopsis
The investigation into Arnold Friedman's life started after he was caught in a pedophile sting operation when he received a magazine of child pornography from the Netherlands by mail. In searching his house, investigators found a large collection of child pornography, which led them to expand their investigation. After learning that Friedman taught children computer classes from his home, the police began to suspect him of abusing his students.
Some of the children Friedman taught had alleged that bizarre sex games were played during their computer classes. Jarecki interviewed some of these children himself; some stated that they had been in the room with other children alleging abuse, and that nothing had happened. One of the "abused" children related a story full of contradictions, and admitted that he had remembered nothing until undergoing hypnosis. The film portrayed police investigative procedures as the genesis of a "witch-hunt" hysteria in the Friedman's community.
The Friedmans took home videos while Arnold (and, later, his son Jesse) awaited trial. They were allowed to stay at home in order to prepare for court. The pictures were not made with publishing in mind, but as a way to record what was happening in their lives. The movie shows much of this footage; family dinners, conversations and arguments. Arnold's wife eventually advised her husband to confess and protect their son.
Arnold Friedman pled guilty to multiple charges of sodomy and sexual abuse against young boys who took computer classes taught in the basement of his home. According to the Friedman family, Arnold confessed in the hopes that Jesse would be spared prison time. However, Jesse later confessed too, but now claims he did so to avoid a life sentence.
Arnold Friedman committed suicide in 1995, leaving a $250,000 life insurance benefit to his son, Jesse. Jesse Friedman was released from prison in 2001 after serving thirteen years of his sentence.
[edit] External links
- Jesse Friedman has a Website[1] where he has posted case documents [2] and his appeal motion, as well as updates [3]about his current situation.
- Silly Billy Birthday Clown David Friedman's Website. He now uses the name David Kaye.
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