Welcome to POV.
I'm Pete Schwaba, host of
Wisconsin Public Television's Director's Cut.
Tonight, we bring you a tragic real-life crime story.
"Roll Red Roll" tells the story of the sexual assault
of a fourteen-year-old girl by members
of the Steubenville High School Football team
that made national headlines and divided a small Ohio town.
During the investigation of this horrible crime, authorities,
including crime blogger Alexandria Goddard,
found clues on social media
where the crime was discussed openly
and where investigators caught a break in the case
after sifting through over 400,000 text messages.
It was on social media where police learned the crime
was not only planned, but witnessed.
The documentary highlights how the discussion
in such a public forum raised questions
about social media bullying.
The other question the film raises:
"Why would parents, teachers and coaches
discredit a young girl and protect assailants?
In making this film, Director Nancy Schwartzman says
she wanted to tell a story about rape and sexual assault
that takes the burden off the victim and her testimony,
and instead places the focus on the community, witnesses
and institutions that enable such a crime.
In the film, one journalist poses the question,
"Is this football town putting its daughters at risk
"by protecting it's sons?"
You can judge for yourself.
"Roll Red Roll" starts now on Wisconsin Public Television,
your home for independent film.