Capturing the Friedmans

Capturing the Friedmans is a documentary film directed by Andrew Jarecki . It was nominated for the Academy Award for Documentary Feature in 2003.

History

Jarecki initially was going to make a film about children's birthday party entertainers, including the popular David Friedman. Friedman's brother, Jesse, and his father, Arnold, had been convicted of child sexual abuse, and Jarecki interviewed many of the children involved. He ended up making a film about the Friedmans themselves.

The movie was nominated for an academy award in 2003 for Best Documentary. It did not win.

Plot synopsis

Some of the children Friedman had taught alleged that bizarre sex games were played during computer classes; these allegations were at the heart of an investigation of both Friedman and one of his sons for child molestation. Jarecki interviewed some of these children himself; some stated that they had been in the room with other children alleging abuse, and that nothing had happened.

The investigation into Arnold Friedman's life started after he was caught in a pedophile sting operation when he received a related magazine by mail. In searching his house, investigators found a large collection of child pornography, which led them to expand their investigation.

Meanwhile, the Friedmans took home videos while Arnold and later his son Jesse awaited their trials. They were allowed to stay at home in order to prepare for them. The pictures were not made with publishing in mind, but as a way to record what was happening in their lives. The movie shows much of this footage; family dinners, conversations, arguments. Arnold's wife eventually advised him to confess to protect his son; however his son later confessed as well. The movie is ambivalent about whether Jesse's and Arnold's confessions were real or had been given in desperation, and leaves it to the viewer to decide.

External links

• IMDB entry for Capturing the Friedmans
• Case Chronology by convicted Jesse Friedman