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Phoenix Rising
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Harrowing docu details abuse, survival, advocacy.
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Phoenix Rising
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What's the Story?
PHOENIX RISING is a two-part documentary featuring actress and activist Evan Rachel Wood opening up about her relationship with Brian Warner, a.k.a. Marilyn Manson. When ready to file charges after surviving the abusive four-year relationship, Wood discovered that the statute of limitations prevented her from doing so. Along with artist and activist Illma Gore, she went on to successfully co-author and lobby for the passage of The Phoenix Act, a piece of California legislation intended to increase the timeframe in which charges can be brought up against a domestic abusers. But it's not until now that she's decided to publicly name Manson as the person responsible for her maltreatment. In addition to sharing her journey, and with the help of photographs, video footage, and readings from Manson's 1999 autobiography, The Long Hard Road Out of Hell, it offers insights into Manson, and his controversial and violent behavior. It also introduces some of the entertainer's other accusers, giving them the opportunity to share their stories.
Is It Any Good?
This disturbing but powerful documentary features Evan Rachel Wood reclaiming her voice as she advocates for domestic abuse survivors across the country. Wood, who was 18 when she began dating then-37-year-old Manson, articulates some of the reasons she believes led her to become trapped in the relationship. She also shares some of emotional and physical abuse she endured during that time, the stories of which are filled with harrowing descriptions of the events that transpired. These accounts, combined with disturbing imagery and video footage, often makes the overall production difficult to watch. Granted, the conversations are one-sided, given that neither Manson or his representatives were willing to participate in the storytelling process beyond denying any wrong doing. Nonetheless, Phoenix Rising is about survival, and sends an empowering message about breaking the cycle of abuse.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of talking about how to stop the cycle of abuse. Why are people often afraid to report or file charges against their abusers? What are the different ways media can be used to support and empower survivors?
What is the purpose of a documentary? Are they supposed to be objective? Do you think this one is?
If you or someone you know is being abused, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for information and assistance.
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 15, 2022
- Cast: Evan Rachel Wood , Illma Gore
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Activism
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: March 16, 2022
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