SEX CRIMES UNIT
KUCI-FM (Irvine) Radio interview w/ Lisa Jackson
Unfortunately, their recording system malfunctioned so there isn’t an MP3 of the interview. But I heard it was fantastic!
CULVER CITY OBSERVER
Pick-up by SANTA MONICA OBSERVER, DEL REY/WESTCHESTER NEWS
LAFF Must See Festival Films column
By Debbie Lynn Elias
Perhaps due to recent world events, economic catastrophe over the past few years, ongoing war, questionable ethics on multiple fronts, continued unrest among the world’s population and many quests for democracy, LAFF 2011 brings a heavy load of hot button legally themed documentaries across multiple screening categories, not the least of which are three of my “Must See Festival Films”, SEX CRIMES UNIT, CRIME AFTER CRIME and HOT COFFEE.
SEX CRIMES UNIT is a film that is very personal to director Lisa Jackson. At age 25 she was gang-raped in Washington, D.C.. She went through the usual post-rape rigamarole of mug shots, sketch artists, rape kit, line-ups, but nothing happened. No arrests were ever made. 15 years later, Jackson revisited her case looking for answers. What she found was that the statute of limitations had passed, all evidence was destroyed and these vile, despicable animals who violated her walked away scot-free.
In 1996, Jackson met Linda Fairstein, then chief of the Sex Crimes Unit in the Manhattan D.A.’s Office. Following news of the unit and high profile rape investigations, Jackson was able to put a camera on Fairstein and her race against time in pursuing and prosecuting these violent crimes. Never before have cameras been inside the “hub” of this specialized department. Never before has anyone taken such an active interest in the work of the Sex Crimes Unit.
An intensive, behind-the-scenes look at the female prosecutors who appear in the film, one of the most revealing things in SEX CRIMES UNIT is not only the inside look at the criminal justice system and how it should work, can work and does work when done right, but the humanity of the prosecutors and the balanced perspectives and tenacity they bring to the job. The dedication and truth with which these prosecutors fight for justice is inspiring and gratifying and Jackson’s cameras catch it all.
Cinematographer John Hazard brings his patented cinema verite styling to the project which is enhanced by the organic editing of Christina Kaufman. Nothing feels or looks manufactured or gratuitous nor do the visuals detract from the story at hand.
Compelling and thought provoking, SEX CRIMES UNIT is one of my Must See Festival Films and can be seen on June 18 and 19 at 4:15 p.m. and 7:10 p.m., respectively at Regal Cinemas.
*This is a partial preview. Full article to go live at midnight Wednesday/Thursday.
