2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Neulinger, now 29, said he was sexually abused by two uncles and a cousin as a child growing up in Pennsylvania. Based on current statistics, Sasha found that "1 out of every 3 women, and 1 out of every 5 men were sexually abused as children". Made up of home video footage that reveals a long-kept secret, Sasha Joseph Neulingers. I got to observe my abusers now more objectively as an adult. "The only way I could understand or see myself is. The more we learn, the more sinister those happy home movies look. In many facets of his life, Sasha was thriving. Shortly after graduating college in 2013, Sasha asked his dad to send him all of the home videos that had been filmed during his childhood. We take every word our religious leaders say as the truth and in so doing, surrender our cognizant reasoning. Sasha Neulinger's documentary is as affecting as they come, both for its portrait of unthinkable horrors perpetrated against the weak and defenseless, and for its optimism that healinghowever. After a plea bargain, Howard was sentenced to 12 years probation, when Neulinger was 16. ), A former child actor whose credits included Shallow Hal and Unbreakable, Neulinger lived in Rosemont and attended Gladwyne Elementary School until moving to Allentown at the age of 10. For more information on volunteering or donating to the Ed and Nancy Hanenburg Childrens Advocacy Center, call 616-393-6123, visitcac-ottawa.org/prevention, All artwork by Joel Tanis is from the walls of the CAC. Henrys older brothers one of whom, Howard Nevison would go on to become a renowned opera singer and well-respected cantor at a high-profile synagogue became abusers; and abuse breeds more abuse. His nephew testified that he did not report the abuse for years because Nevison threatened to kill him. But like most young victims, he told no one. In response to his experience, Sasha decided to direct REWIND, an autobiographical documentary following his journey to confront, unpack and understand the multi-generational child sexual abuse that haunted him and his family. This is incredibly powerful! He now lives in Montana, where he and his wife, Lauren, and their puppy are riding out the coronavirus pandemic in relative . Get to know Maria Morales: CAC Family Advocate, A Conversation with Ashleigh Shea: Forensic Interviewing at the CAC, Giving Hope: The Childrens Advocacy Center. The legal minds who helped prosecute Neulingers case reached out to him to set up a Childrens Advocacy Center in his home county. Re-watching his childhood provided Sasha some validation, a reminder that he had nothing to do with what his abusers chose to do to himbut that he had everything to do with the strength and resilience it required to hold his abusers accountable. Sasha is among the male survivors. I got to see how much beauty and joy that I started with in life. Where is Sasha Neulinger now? But there has to be some separation, right? By probing the gap between image and reality, the film depicts both how little and how much a camera can capture. Whats more remarkable is that he was once that small boy. I felt this huge sense of relief. Along with bringing courage and solace to children and adolescents who have been sexually abused, Neulinger hopes the film speaks to religious institutions and makes them own up to their culpability if they remain silent, refusing even to acknowledge the possibility of evildoing within their own ranks. Sasha doesnt claim to understand the journey of every survivor. Interviews with his mother, as the audience saw, included recalling a time where Neulinger tried to jump out of a moving car and dark drawings he had made. 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Through embracing my fear and confronting what scared me the most, I rediscovered my beauty and learned to harness my power. If nothing else, I felt the film might help someone else. Each step is something to build on. Both Howard and Larry were fixtures at Henry and Jacquis homeas was Larrys second son, Stewart, who came to live there after being discharged from the Air Force. Dr. Herbert Lustig, the psychiatrist who worked with Sasha as he was revealing what happened to him, explains that the boy was victorious no matter what courts decided should happen to Nevison: Having told the truth in public, in the face of his abuser, Lustig believes he won in terms of his own emotional health. His mom asked his sister to draw pictures. Distorting an expression of care with an act of vile dominance can create a black hole of shame for anyone. But I still felt trapped in a secret. Clearly, there was more healing to be done; one hopes that making Rewind has helped Sasha and his family close this book. After finishing film school at Montana State University, he discovered the raw materials that would propel him to tell the story of his life. Link to Sasha's video documentary "Rewind to Fast Forward": https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sashaneulinger/rewind-to-fast-forward, 76ers' Joel Embiid ruled out for Game 1 vs. Celtics, Drivers ticketed for leaving cars in path of street sweepers, ESPN: Harper to return to lineup 159 days after Tommy John surgery. An emotional conversation with his father reveals a tragic side of paternal humanity. Neulinger sprinkled home-movie clips and television news broadcasts into his presentation. We learn Henrys mother ridiculed and emasculated her husband and children, having zero patience emotionally. The congregation rallied to support Nevison, holding a fundraiser for his defense. 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Neulinger chronicles his own journey out of abuse in his new documentary, Rewind, now available for VOD rental and airing on Detroit Public TV Tuesday, May 12, at 11 p.m. as part of the Independent Lens series of documentary films. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I would watch moments from my childhood beautiful moments, gorgeous, joyful moments that I had completely forgotten about. Henrys home movies show a kindergarten-age Sasha as playful and family-oriented; a year later, the boy has put on substantial weight, frowns constantly and erupts in hard-to-process dark emotions. I struggled with what public disclosure would do for me. He has been developing his documentary, "Rewind to Fast Forward" from his dad's collection of videos. For the first time in more than fourteen years, he could experience life without abuse being the primary focus of his existence. If my religious leaders, those who connect me to God, are sinister or even evil, what does that say about my faith? This week, our community is mourning the loss of Jonah Anschell. A memoir of molestation whose convoluted structure mirrors the shocking web of abuse its protagonists suffered, Sasha Joseph Neulingers Rewind allows viewers to watch as a bright, loving child is utterly transformed by a family members sexual assault. Critics Choice and Emmy Nominated (Outstanding Social Issue Documentary, Outstanding Direction, and Outstanding Editing), and now streaming on multiple platforms including Hulu, Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play, REWIND continues the fight against child abuse every day. He began to see a psychiatrist, and eventually revealed his deep, dark secrets. Its a problem within all organized religion, which can become a trap. There is inspiration, there is hope and the message is that if we are able to look at our wounds and embrace your fears, to accept and examine our traumatic experiences, then we can truly heal them and move forward in life, he said, and this idea that its never too late to start the journey of healing. Marking his film debut, Rewind is an autobiographical documentary that recounts how from ages 3 to 8, he was sexually abused by an adult cousin and two uncles, most notably Uncle Howard, Howard Nevison, the much respected and admired longtime cantor at Temple Emanuel on Fifth Avenue in New York. From the get-go, Sasha Joseph Neulinger knew he'd face turbulent waters in creating "Rewind" (May 11 on PBS). Thus Rewind, was spawned, a seven-year project that started when Neulinger was still a film student at Montana State University. Prior to the #Metoo movement, the cultural climate was not predisposed to believe a child accuser and was, in fact, hostile toward him, Neulinger said. It was about justice.. Yet the more Neulinger crawls back into his thorny past, the more it becomes apparent that his victimizationas well as Bekahswas not an isolated incident. Having premiered at last years Tribeca Film Festival, and set for an on-demand release on May 8, Rewind is Neulingers autobiographical tale of tragedy and triumphand one that cant be discussed in any detail without spoiling some of its surprises., His saga begins in suburban Pennsylvania in the 1990s, with happily married Henry and Jacqui Nevison, infant Sasha, and a video camera, which would soon come between the adult couple. And ultimately I believe that healing isnt a destination. Henry never told his wife that they were bringing child abusers into their home. That revelation, unsurprisingly, rocked the family, and it lands with seismic force here as well. My last day in court was the day before my 17th birthday, and a year later, I moved as far away as I could, to Montana. I had gotten through it. Sasha Joseph Neulinger, 24, is producing a documentary about child sexual abuse called Rewind to Fast-Forward, that describes his personal experience with sexual abuse and hopes to spread the. Whats worse, Sashas family almost seemed to be normalizing the abuse he and his sister were enduring. Parallel to interviews with city officials who reconstruct an infuriating case of justice denied, the film offers another conversation. One of Sasha's alleged abusers was his uncle, Howard Nevison, the esteemed cantor at New York's Reform Jewish Temple Emanu-el. The way he did that, though, was to hint at another violation happening under the same roof that of his beloved sister Rebekah. (One uncle, Lawrence Nevison, and his son, Stewart Nevison, pleaded guilty to felonies and were sent to prison in connection with separate incidents with Neulinger. (Though Neulinger works hard to be even-handed here, including footage that shows Uncle Howies loving side, he doesnt invite anyone from Emanu-El to share their side of the story.). My time in Montana, while I was at film school, those were the first five consecutive years of my life where child abuse wasnt the primary focus of my existence. Ex: myspace.com/. His film about his experiences, "Rewind," which played the Tribeca Film Festival last year, makes its TV debut on PBS' "Independent Lens" on May 11. I read every article, I watch every game. READ MORE: Tribeca Film Festival: 15 Must-See Movies. Public Speaker and Film Director of REWIND. The fact that, when things got tough on the stand during Howards pretrial hearing, Neulinger wore Josephs yarmulke only underlines how true love is a force one can lean on, and derive power from, in times of great need. This is not a Jewish, Christian, black, white, gay, straight issue. People will make up excuses in their own minds because its easier to say, Oh hes just eccentric, hes quirky, hes not really touching inappropriately. The clip in the film where Howard is using the word pervert in a joking way, thats not a very that makes people uncomfortable but people are willing to overlook it and I think that happens all the time.. Shortly before Sasha turned 17, Howard's attorneys ran out of delays, and discussions of a plea agreement commenced. I can recognize that the trauma I experienced is just one piece of an expansive, multifaceted life. And I think thats really important. But the abuse didnt stop there. In those days, Neulinger had to travel to physicians offices, detective offices, Child Protective Services and various other government buildings, telling his story over and over, dozens of times. Im really not interested in acting anymore. I cant imagine a world in which my family was part of the construction of the film. For as long as Neulinger can remember, a video camera was ever-present, with his father constantly filmingfrom birthday parties and hockey games to holidays. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, Sasha Joseph Neulinger digs into the story of his own childhood sexual abuse in his debut doc, 'Rewind.'. Minutes earlier, they were having Uncle/Nephew time in the bedroom, behind closed doors. The film was directed by Sasha Joseph Neulinger, the 30-year-old filmmaker who, along with his sister, was molested repeatedly by two uncles and a cousin. A Philadelphia-area transplant from New York, Newman began her career as a pediatric registered nurse before becoming an attorney for 20 years and then moving into nonprofit work. She recalled watching Neulingers case unfold on the news, not being able to believe it. For the next four years, he said two uncles and a cousin raped him, often during family gatherings in his own home. Meet new CAC Intake Coordinator, Heather Pedersen! I was you know, hiking, fishing, and doing all the things that I loved. Now, as executive director of Mission Kids, she works to make sure that isnt peoples first reactions. In HBO's "The Tale," Narberth's Jennifer Fox turns to fiction to tell her own true, tough story, California residents do not sell my data request. Through a subtle editorial structure, Neulinger delivers this bombshell in bits and pieces in a manner akin to its original emergence with his doctor. Im going to live in Montana for the rest of my life. Watching the home videos incorporated with the film which also features interviews with his psychiatrist, the prosecutor and detective on his case, his parents as well as others gave him an opportunity to revisit his childhood and a chance to look at how his past affected him and how it has shaped him as an adult, he said. This TEDx Talk features Sasha Joseph Neulinger. Throughout their interactions, the son is mostly silent as his mother remembers what he did and said during those years, and how he gradually made it known that someone had touched him sexually. Then something happened. You know, it was incredibly emotional to watch that footage, to see an innocent child who has a zest for life and to watch that child to watch myself lose that light. Sasha said it was because of Bekah's "private club with Stuart," one of his Uncle Howard's nephews. Not everyone responds to trauma in the same way. Child sexual abuse is one of the greatest social epidemics of our time, according to Neulinger, who last week debuted an autobiographical documentary film at the Tribeca Film Festival. For the next nine years of my life, I was in and out of courtrooms testifying against all three of my abusers.. That was a big hurdle. And so I was able to reclaim these beautiful memories that had been lost, which was extremely healing and cathartic. READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2019. There arent enough synonyms for the word courage to do Sasha Joseph Neulingers story real justice. Sasha Neulingers childhood pain still lingers. After premiering at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, "Rewind" makes its television debut on PBS "Independent Lens.". Documentary Biography Drama. 3 Photos. The film was Sashas feature-length directorial debut. By what name was Rewind (2019) officially released in India in English? 1 Video. Old home movies, recording happy times, serve as the storys backdrop, presenting a stark contrast to the darker truths that existed behind the scenes and cast a long shadow. Sasha speaks about his trauma as a child and how he learned to love himself again by transforming his pain into good. Sasha Joseph Neulinger (born 1989) is an American actor and director born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There is nothing easy about facing severe trauma, but the reclamation of ones life in the face of adversity makes reaching the summit of that personal mountain that much more meaningful and empowering. Rewind dependently relies on title cards, to give the viewer important wrap-up information. Jacqui soon realized what was happening and it destroyed her marriage. Sifting through 700 hours of film footage, including 200 hours of home video, Sasha Neulinger has been rewatching his childhood for the last four years to create a documentary, . After all, a celebration was the perfect time to pull out his video camera. "After nine years of secondary trauma, on top of four years of actual abuse . Explaining this change is present-day footage in which Sasha interviews others, leaning largely on conversations with his mother, Jacqui. Sexual abuse doesnt discriminate. With one foot in front of the other, and with each step taken, more of the path is revealed. Your Neighbors. Love your neighbors and watch your beard. After premiering at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim, Rewind, a documentary about surviving abuse both by family members and the justice system that required that he relive the trauma for years afterward, makes its television debut on Monday on PBS Independent Lens. Crafted with striking delicacy, the films form is of a piece with its content. Sasha's parents dropped everything to support him. The goal for the Sept. 24 event was to raise the additional funds needed for sound editing and to create an original score for the film, which he hopes will be done by August 2017. And theres no cost to families. 2.4K. Sasha Joseph Neulinger (left) and his father Henry Nevison looking through old home movie footage. I was surviving, Neulinger recalled. I am the biggest Flyers nerd on the planet. I was doing well in school, had a good internship and was in a place I loved: Montana. As a child, Sasha Joseph Neulinger was gifted but deeply troubled. Family members, people he trusted, betrayed and violated him. YOUR RATING. Unfortunately, that joy and happiness was violently interrupted.. After finishing film school at Montana State University, he discovered the raw materials that. Jacqui noticed his genitals didnt look quite right. Sasha Joseph Neulinger with his sister Bekah around the age that the sexual abuse started. He has created a documentary in the hopes it will inspire other victims to come forward. So it was really that move, and to be able to have space from what happened, that was equally as important as the incredible therapeutic service I received from Dr. Lustig. He suffered from insomnia, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Sashas dad, Henry was another victim. Neulinger still struggles with how the venerated synagogue unquestioningly rallied to Nevisons defense and literally paid for much of it. I built a loving and respectful relationship with myself and reclaimed ownership of my life and it feels absolutely amazing!. They say it takes a village to raise a child, Neulinger noted. But his fathers camera, trained on the frequent gatherings of a tight-knit family, was also documenting a hidden secret, the revelation of which would lead to a media firestorm, a high-stakes court battle, and a generational reckoning. Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations. Sasha Joseph Neulinger in 2014. Taking a deep breath before putting fingers to keyboard to write this article, pondering. It was at that moment that I finally realized what my abusers were doing was wrong, he said. I Trusted Them: The Pain of Sexual Abuse, All artwork by Joel Tanis is from the walls of the CAC. The use of old home movies to show how Neulingers life was transformed, however dramatic, is just the start here, as this was a family with plenty of pain to uncover and one whose suffering would be exacerbated by a powerful religious community that, for once in stories like this, isnt the Catholic Church. I want them to think, instead, what happens to that child if he or she is being abused and you dont report it. From an early age, Neulinger had his sights set on a film career, although he never thought hed be launching it with an autobiographical documentary. Jacqui soon realized what was happening and it destroyed her marriage. The investigation and three trials that ensued dragged on for eight years (1998-2006) and generated a lot of media coverage. Digging through the vast collection of his father's home videos, a young man reconstructs the unthinkable story of his boyhood and exposes vile abuse passed through generations. The experiences carved a deep hole in Neulingers soul. It was a triumphant moment.. The Montco-raised child actor and director was sexually abused as a child by two uncles and a cousin. My kids that we plan to have one day are going to be die-hard Flyers fans. Sasha Joseph Neulinger's heroic and devastating autobiographical documentary opens with questions familiar to many people: Why are home movies always so haunting? And maybe, just maybe, I didnt either.. For more visit www.joelschoontanisart.com. 24-year-old Sasha Joseph Neulinger was sexually abused by two uncles and a cousin as a child. Rewind, is simply an astounding movie and a milestone in psychiatrically minded filmmaking. The process of reinvestigating past trauma often causes more pain for assault victims, and Sasha Joseph Neulingers incredible bravery in revisiting his case alone is worth celebrating. Both with his public speaking engagements and REWIND, Sasha is doing everything he can to make an impact in the fight against child abuse. A Man Who Was Sexually Abused By His Uncles As A Child Is Making A Documentary That Will Change Lives! He never told a soul what happened to him. Amazon.com: Rewind : Sasha Joseph Neulinger, Avela Grenier, Shasta Grenier, Robert Schneeweis, Thomas Winston: Prime Video Home Free with ads Rewind Digging through the vast collection of his father's home videos, a young man reconstructs the unthinkable story of his boyhood and exposes vile abuse passed through generations. Help bring programs like Independent Lens to your PBS station. At first, Jacqui and Henry thought it might have something to do with what was going on at school. But like most young victims, he told no one. I had a really awesome job with a company that was working on National Geographic television. 24-year-old Sasha Joseph Neulinger was sexually abused by two uncles and a cousin as a child. The case made headlines as it was found that his uncle, Howard Nevison, one of his abusers (Neulinger and family have changed their names), was a well-known cantor at a synagogue in New Yorks Upper East Side. Rate. Working closely with other organizations, he aims to correct many of the issues inherent in abuse investigations. An autobiographical film years in the making, Rewind premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival where it received a special jury mention. And in seeing that, its been beautiful to reconnect with the part of myself that for so long I thought made me less than the quote-unquote victim.. Well, I started therapy before I ever disclosed what was happening. A former child actor whose credits included Shallow Hal and Unbreakable, Neulinger lived in Rosemont and attended Gladwyne Elementary School until moving to Allentown at the age of 10. My dad is an incredibly gifted filmmaker and the big inspiration in my life. While introducing these characters, Rewind spends time with Neulinger and his now-divorced parents, discussing his youthful transformation from a bright, intellectual kid to a troubled adolescent who lashed out unpredictably and often spoke about killing himself. I was constantly being asked to talk to police.
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