Cyber-bullying focus of documentary screening in Manitowoc Oct. 26 that aims to launch community discussion
MANITOWOC — The Production Farm, United Way Manitowoc County and Crossfire Ranch will hold a special screening of the documentary “The Upstanders” at Endries Performance Hall at the Franciscan Center for Music Education and Performance, 6751 Calumet Ave., Manitowoc, at 7 p.m. Oct. 26.
According to a news release, “‘The Upstanders’ is unsettling and uplifting, causing us all to examine our behavior, inspiring us to do better, be better, and stand up against victimization and cyber-bullying.”
The event will feature a viewing of the 56-minute film, followed by a panel discussion led by The Production Farm CEO and Founder Wyatt Kuether with special guests Muse Seymour and Ashley Bender, executive director of United Way Manitowoc County.
Here’s what to know about the documentary and the event.
‘The Upstanders’ focuses on cyber-bullying
The third installment in an award-winning “Mental Health Trilogy,” “The Upstanders” delves into cyber-bullying, showing the perspectives of those who bully, their victims and the trauma of the bystander.
Woven through this film is the very personal, firsthand account of a family’s tragic loss that inspired new legislation to turn the tide against this epidemic.
As with each film in the trilogy, true stories are featured alongside the latest scientific and medical research, along with strategies to empower all communities to stand up against bullying.
The 56-minute film features in-depth interviews with kids, families who have lost their children to cyber-bullying-related suicide, and top experts from prestigious institutions including Stanford University and Child Mind Institute in New York City.
“The Upstanders” also includes two members of Oprah’s 2020 Vision Tour: Jesse Israel of “The Big Quiet” and Radha Agrawal of “Daybreaker” and author of “Belong.”
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COVID-19 created ‘a bully-ripe environment’
The Production Farm said in a news release that “COVID-19 has only exacerbated the problem of cyber abuse by providing a bully-ripe environment of isolation, anxiety and increased time on screens.
“Most often driven by pain, bullies are searching for that jolt of power when putting someone else down — and there is plenty of pain going around now,” the release added.
“As I child, I was spat on, kicked and pushed into lockers,” said iNDIEFLIX filmmaker and CEO SciIla Andreen, in the release. “As painful as that was, the meanness stopped at my front door, and I was safe when I got inside my home. But today, with the quick push of a few buttons, the bullies have the ability to persistently harass, humiliate and degrade their peers 24/7.
“We are eternally grateful to the Molak family who let us document their journey, as they channeled their grief into tangible change: the creation of David’s Law,” Andreen added.
Film explores causes, solutions of cyber-bullying
Through its experts, the film explores the following:
The science behind cyber-bullying;
Why kids are afraid to admit they are cyber-bullied and signs to watch for;
Best ways to support your cyber-bullied child;
How to realize if you are harboring a cyber-bully; and
How the community can show resilience and power to end bullying.
iNDIEFLIX screenings foster ‘a connected and nurturing environment’
iNDIEFLIX continues its documentary presentation via community screenings, which “fosters a connected and nurturing environment,” The Production Farm said.
Prior to the pandemic, these films were shown in auditoriums or community centers, followed by a moderated panel discussion and Q&As.
COVID-19 has recreated this live “watching together” experience online, complete with focused discussion and the ability to ask questions or check out resources in real time, according to the news release.
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Companion documentaries are ‘staples in social and emotional learning programs’
“The Upstanders” and its Mental Health Trilogy companions “Angst” and “LIKE” are staples in social and emotional learning programs in schools all over the world, The Production Farm said.
Knowing that successful change depends on continuing the conversation beyond the screening date, each film comes with discussion guides, tip sheets and further resources, with dedicated curricula for each film launching in 2021.
iNDIEFLIX Group Inc. is a global education and streaming service that promotes and supports social impact films to create positive change in the world. iNDIEFLIX Education offers books online and offline community screenings in schools and corporations around the world, while iNDIEFLIX Stream offers a monthly subscription-based service to access thousands of shorts, features, documentaries, and series from around the world. More information is at https://www.indieflix.com/.
Where to learn more
“The Upstanders”: Those interested in learning more about “The Upstanders” can go to theupstanders.com, where they can also view a trailer of the documentary.
The Production Farm: The non-profit mental and behavioral health service agency is based in Manitowoc County and has locations in Whitelaw and Sheboygan Falls. Learn more at theproductionfarm.com.
Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @breidHTRNews.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Cyber-bullying documentary The Upstanders to be shown in Manitowoc
