Capturing the Friedmans Movie Review 2003

Disturbing documentary follows the lives of the Friedman family of Great Neck, Long Island. On Thanksgiving of 1987, police raid the Friedman home and find child pornography belonging to father Arthur, who's a high school science and computer teacher. The police allege that Arthur and youngest son, Jesse (then 18), molested dozens of boys. There is a rash of conflicting testimony as the case goes to trial (both are convicted, though Jesse's guilt is called into question). Shows excerpts from some 50 hours of home movies, much of which eldest son David filmed, and which the family permitted director Jarecki to use. He also conducted present-day interviews with a number of figures involved in the case.

Distribution

HBO, 1100 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, Phone: (212)512-7400, Fax: (212)512-7498, URL: http://www.hbo.com, Remarks: Online sales through www.store.hbo.com

Available on DVD
Running time 107 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Documentary, Tale of the Tape, Family Ties, True Crime, Period Piece: 1980s, Child Abuse

Cinematography

Adolfo Doring

Director

Andrew Jarecki

Music

Andrea Morricone

Other

John Gurrin, Richard Hankin

Producer

Andrew Jarecki, Marc Smerling, Hit the Ground Running Films, Magnolia Pictures

Awards

Sundance 2003: Feature Doc.