Protection

Thursday, March 18, 2004 – 7:30 PM
Canada 2000. Director: Bruce Spangler

Winner of the Best Canadian Independent Feature, 2000, Vancouver Critics Circle and Best First Feature Victoria Independent Film & Video Festival 2000, Protection is a riveting film that accurately resonates the real life dramas and agonizing decidions associated with the ambiguous world of child protection. Jane (Nancy Sivak) is a child protection social worker on the verge of burning out. Betty (Jillian Fargey) is a heroin addicted mother of two children. Jane fears Betty’s boyfriend might be abusing the children. As she investigates the case she discovers a loving mother who has lost control of her life. Ultimately, she is faced with the extremely difficult decision of whether or not to take away the kids. Bruce Spangler, writer/director of Protection, was a child protection social worker for five years prior to his filmmaking career. Protection is based on his real life experiences as a front line child abuse investigator where he was confronted with life and death decisions every day. In Protection he takes the audience on a powerful and explosive journey to the front line. “Protection evokes a gritty realism that easily places it alongside the best of Ken Loach or Dogma 95… a landmark achievement in Cinematic realism.” (Diane Burgess, Vancouver International Film Festival Programmer). Colour, 35mm. 83 min.

The program will include a post-screening discussion with:

Bruce Spangler: Bruce is a graduate of Simon Fraser’s University Film Program (1995). In addition to filmmaking. Bruce has written music for film and television and has also exhibited his photography in a number of galleries in both Vancouver and Seattle. Currently, Bruce teaches Film at Simon Fraser University and the Vancouver Film School. Protection is Bruce’s feature film directorial debut.

Evening moderated by:
Dr. Harry Karlinsky Director of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.

Co-sponsored by the BC Association of Social Workers