THE CHILDREN NEXT DOOR, our documentary short about domestic violence as seen through the eyes of a child, held its New York City premiere on November 12th at DOC NYC, the world renowned documentary film festival, and was selected for the prestigious Special Jury Prize. Three juries selected films from each of the festival’s Viewfinders, Metropolis and Shorts programs to recognize for their outstanding achievements in form and content. All films playing in the shorts section, plus the two shorts screening in the Metropolis section, were eligible for this jury prize.
This documentary is the first of its kind, as it recounts the fear and pain of domestic violence from the child’s perspective and uses the big screen to change the way our society looks at domestic violence. The film was sponsored by Children of Domestic Violence and producer Lynda Hansen and director Doug Block worked closely with Children of Domestic Violence throughout the production process. Premiering on the heels of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, THE CHILDREN NEXT DOOR serves to focus the dialogue on the children that are so often present when violence occurs in the home.
THE CHILDREN NEXT DOOR takes us on a young family’s journey to discover the solution to end a reoccurring cycle of violence and the truth that lies beneath. Raised in Tennessee households fraught with domestic violence, Penny and Brad vowed when they fell in love to end the cycle. A ten-year marriage plagued by waves of mounting violence, all in front of their four children, culminated on one horrific day. The film opens five and a half years later, as the family continues to struggle with the impact of the violence that shaped their lives. Within three short months, an astonishing turn of events forces Chelsea, the oldest child, and her mother to confront some tough truths about the past. In facing them, Chelsea begins to find an inner strength and see her true potential.
“One of our greatest challenges in the fight against childhood domestic violence is a lack of public awareness,” said Brian F. Martin, Founder and CEO of Children of Domestic Violence. “Childhood domestic violence is possible because it is a secret. As soon as it is revealed, collectively we can intervene to stop it. THE CHILDREN NEXT DOOR addresses it head on and has the power to open a dialogue about a silent problem affecting millions of people around the world. It is imperative that when thinking about domestic violence, we think equally of the children that are present in these homes.”
To learn more about the film or watch the trailer, go to https://cdv.org/documentary.
Is the film (The Children Next Door) available for full viewing or purchase?
Hi Nancy, thanks for inquiring about the film. It is available for viewing free of charge. We would love to hear from you with more details regarding how you are planning to use the film (or what type of viewing you might have in mind), so we can provide you with any appropriate additional support you might need. Please email us with more info at info@cdv.org. Many thanks.
Hi Anna, Thanks for your reply. I didn’t realize that your response would be here versus in my personal email inbox. I’m still interested in the film. In short, I do training and technical assistance on projects funded by the US Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Woman and am currently working with 17 of their Children and Youth Exposed to Violence FY2011 Grantees (children exposed to domestic and sexual violence). We’ve been doing training events all year and we’re getting ready to host a 45-50 person meeting in New Orleans which might be one venue where we could show the film (assuming it’s a good fit) and we’re hopeful that we’ll be working with next year’s grantees as well. I’m happy to talk by phone and can give you more details about the nature of our work (917-447-3062). I also know that one of the CEV grantee locations has reached out to you directly (the YWCA of York) about a possible preview for their site locally. It was their flagging of the film that lead me back to your website. Again, sorry I missed your original reply back in January. Hope to learn more. –Nancy
I would like to watch this film with my husband. We have two children and I would like the two of us to better understand what domestic violence is. We have had some heated arguments in front of our son but I don’t think they qualify as domestic violence…I hope. Where can I buy/rent/watch the movie? Thanks a lot!
Hi there, thanks for reaching out. Our documentary is not yet available for individual purchase, as it is still traveling the film festival circuit and there are some strict requirements that apply. In will be available for individual purchase in early 2014. However, it is currently being screened across the country in public community screenings organized through partner organizations. If you can email us at info@cdv.org and let us know your city and state, we are happy to let you know of any public screenings that are taking place in your community. Alternatively, if you prefer to have your own individual copy, please email us with your name and email address and we will alert you as soon as the film is available for individual purchase. Thanks so much for your interest in the film.
For more information about childhood domestic violence, what qualifies, and how damaging it can be to a young mind, take a look at the following pages:
http://cdvdevstaging.wpengine.com/what-is-childhood-domestic-violence/
http://cdvdevstaging.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/911_Call.m4a
http://cdvdevstaging.wpengine.com/the-impact/
Hi,
When I heard about this movie and saw the trailer it was Like hearing my life, I am very interested in seeing the film for myself and my son who is unfortunately a child of domestic violence.if you could tell me about how I could get a copy or watch online that would be so appreciated. I am disabled and cannot get out much.the only way I could see it is if it was at ho chunk cinemas in Tomah WI thank you so much for making such an important film no one else has done and dealing with what I think is one of Americas and society biggest problems today ,our families and abuse, addiction,the cycle repeating. I wish education would begin early in the schools about this .Thanks again
I’d like to view the video with my husband. I’m an adult who grew up with domestic violence in my home when I was a child. I just bought Brian’s book and would love to see the film. Where can I find it or purchase it?