The child abuse doc 'Hollywood doesn't want you to see' previews at Cannes
An Open Secret, about the abuse of young actors, wins a spot after months of rejection on the festival circuit
A documentary addressing the controversial issue of child abuse in the film industry will receive an invite-only screening in Cannes after months of rejection. The film, directed by Oscar-nominee Amy Berg, was turned down by LA, Toronto and London film festivals before securing a spot on this year's Cannes programme.
An Open Secret contains interviews with actor Michael Egan, who made headlines in 2014 by making - and then withdrawing - claims of sexual assault at the hands of Hollywood executives early in his career.
Featuring testimonials from other men who encountered abuse as young actors, An Open Secret secured a distributor at Doc NYC in 2014 after months of rejection from film companies, despite being fully funded and boasting an Academy-nominated director.
"The chief creatives would love it, but then someone on the business side would step in, and all of a sudden there was no longer interest”, explained executive-producer Matthew Valentinas in an interview with Deadline, noting that it was often high-level industry members that would have the final decision on whether the film was shown.
An Open Secret previews at Cannes on May 19
