Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary from 2015, which focuses on the Australian Jewish community's response to the sexual abuse scandal that rocked it in the 2010s. Directed by Alex Highet, the film tells the story of Manny Waks, one of the leading figures of the scandal, who was sexually abused as a child by members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community.

The movie aims to shed light on how sexual abuse can be committed by members of a community that is typically seen as conservative, moral, and law-abiding. It shows how the sexual abuse scandal emerged and evolved, and how the Jewish community reacted to the revelations.

The movie is divided into three main parts. The first part introduces Manny Waks, his family, and the community in which he grew up. It shows how Waks was sexually abused by a member of his community when he was a child, and how this trauma affected his life. Waks became an advocate for victims of abuse and founded the organization Tzedek to help them.

The second part of the movie focuses on the emergence of the scandal. It shows how Waks and other victims of abuse began to tell their stories and how the community reacted to these revelations. The movie shows how the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community tried to silence the victims and cover up the abuse.

The third part of the movie focuses on Waks' fight for justice. It shows how Waks and other victims of abuse struggled to be heard and how they found the courage to speak out. The movie shows how they had to overcome numerous obstacles, how they had to fight against the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, and how they had to deal with their families and the wider Jewish community.

Throughout the movie, we see Waks as a courageous and determined activist who remains committed to his cause despite the many obstacles he faces. We also see him as a loving husband and father who struggles to reconcile his faith and his identity as a victim of abuse.

Breaking the Silence is a powerful and emotionally charged movie that is sure to resonate with anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or knows someone who has. The movie is well made, with excellent editing, sound, and cinematography. The interviews with the victims of abuse, their families, and community leaders are insightful and poignant.

The movie also raises important questions about how communities respond to allegations of abuse and how victims can find justice in societies that often prioritize traditions and reputation over people's well-being. It highlights the importance of listening to victims, believing them, and providing them with the support they need to heal.

Overall, Breaking the Silence is a movie that should be seen by anyone who cares about justice, human rights, and the dignity of all people. It is a movie that is both challenging and inspiring, and that reminds us of the importance of breaking the silence around sexual abuse and of supporting victims in their fight for justice.