Sequi pecuniam in quo est verum
Writer/Director: Kirby Dick
Cast: Annie E. Clark, Andrea Pino
Swift shot: Director Kirby Dick opens the eyes of America with a chilling expose on sexual assault cover-ups on campuses across the United States. Assuming that each case is credible, you’ll wish you were watching fiction. But overall, you’ll be inspired as two UNC students take on a corrupt system that spreads beyond one fraternity, one stadium, one Congress – they create a national network for the victims to report their attacks, to be heard. The Hunting Ground captures their humble beginnings.
Rape is a crime. But corruption is also a crime, but it is much harder to prove. I mean, everyone knows corruption exists, it is everywhere you look, or more accurately everywhere you don’t look. It’s getting easier to say death, taxes, and corruption are the only absolutes in life. How do you fight corruption? It’s simple really, you expose it – you challenge it – you report it! And while I am disgusted by the horrific attacks of each of the victims in this film, I am equally disgusted by anyone (male or female) that bears false witness. That is a kind of rape too, a destruction of someone’s reputation can be equally devastating and irreparable.
I can’t speak to each case presented in the film. I can only say that statistically speaking, there are liars and there are actual victims. In the end, only God and the parties involved know the truth, so I am not going to set about trying to prove or disprove each case – that would be ludicrous! And I am not a cop; I am a critic.
The Hunting Ground alleges big universities are machines of corruption, designed to shield rapists and feign numbers of assaults on (and off) campus. Following two UNC students, themselves victims of vicious assaults, who have decided to crusade for women, and men, who have been sexually abused on (and off) campus is what is presented. That’s a just cause.
I tend to shy away from documentaries, because I am loathe to dissect facts and stats that are, endlessly, forced down my throat. If I did a thesis on the film, perhaps I would do something like that. But, I digress, I can only speak to what was presented to me as fact. With a documentary, there can be no puffery, there can only be facts, or you get an agenda-driven hatchet job that might as well be directed by buffoons like Michael Moore. I didn’t get that impression with this film, thankfully.
Writer/Director Dick did a good job of keeping the emotion steady and balanced, playing on the light-hearted nature of Annie and Andrea as they set about to take on the system. A kind of David vs. Goliath gargantuan feat awaits them, as they learn that the cases are much more widespread than even they imagined. In this way, the film is allowed to evolve as more than just a myopic documentary. They don’t merely attack frats or athletes. They attack the cover-ups!
Dick doesn’t really place the blame on the attackers so much as those defending them, but a bit overlooked was the fact that all of the accused are innocent until being proven guilty. In one case in particular, they tread on dangerous ground with introducing a certain infamous college football phenom, and present those facts as indisputable. If everything presented was germane to the case, then I think this film will definitely open up that case for further public scrutiny.
The opportunity for corruption in any football town is rampant. It will be interesting to hear what the NFL has to say after any of them watch this film. Will they take it as presented, or will they be able to chalk it up to conspiracy theory? I would love to see what they and the (blood on their hands) NCAA have to say about it.
Many different women from campuses all across the country and political spectrum were interviewed for The Hunting Ground, and that was revealing. But, with the exception of a few more dramatic stories, there were a plethora of snippets from some alleged attacks that we never really had any proper context to understand. Almost like the stats that were constantly peppered in, like an overused seasoning that loses its bite. Perhaps that is by design, to get you to explore each victim, assuming you could, on your own. Only one alleged suspect’s name is ever mentioned in The Hunting Ground, and again, if you watch college football, you know his name.
I would have appreciated a broader scope attacking the industry’s refusal to shine a light inward when it comes to dollars and sense. No, that isn’t a typo. Common sense and justice should always trump corruption, in a perfect world. But, therein lies the problem with the world, and this film, life is not perfect. Justice isn’t color-blind, 50 shades of green is what really fuels that system . . . or any system. Money and power, those are the masters.
I expected this film to be a poison pen on anyone with a penis, and I was happy to see that wasn’t the case. What was a bit off to me, though was the sense of school spirit exhibited by Andrea, who started this movement, in earnest. She was never in any scene not displaying her Tar heel pride. I guess it is different for everyone, as we saw each person interviewed had varying levels of angst and anger from their experiences. I like to think maybe Andrea was playing that fine edge where something you love has let you down, but it doesn’t mean you don’t love it anymore. She never says that, mind you, but it was what I perceived as a casual observer.
And on that note, here’s what I was thinking before watching the film:
- Not everyone that is accused of a crime is guilty.
- When you are attacked, you call 911, not campus security nor take to Twitter.
- Life can be harsh, and some people are cruel. Take responsibility for your safety.
Nothing I thought before watching the film changed, but I did learn some things from my experience. First, these two women have tremendous courage to take on “The System,” because they will be mocked, they will be ridiculed, they will be targeted and attacked like never before. So, they have guts. In the end, I would love to tell you that isn’t reality, but it is, sadly.
Next, Corruption has gone from a lower-case in America to title case, and is approaching ALL CAPS if we don’t expose it where it pervades. And, it doesn’t matter what happened, it matters what you can prove happened. That is the truth, if you don’t like it, at least understand it.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe. It only matters what I can prove! So please, don’t tell me what I know, or don’t know; I know the LAW.” A Few Good Men
Finally, if you have been attacked, and have called the police (that’s 911 – not campus security) and you are getting treated like shit, reach out to the #IXNetwork. At the very least, they want to help, and they aren’t just an extension of a corruptible institution. Oh, and if you call 911 and they have it routed to campus security, demand they have city police on scene as well. And let’s all open our eyes, America – we owe it to the victims.
