In 2001, editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll and Sacha Pfeiffer interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. The reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.
SPOTLIGHT shook me. The waves of memory I long buried came crashing as I trembled with such heaviness, and fear. Indeed the film portrayed the beauty and power of journalism, the impact that it could have on a reader and the endless hard work of every journalist wanting to unfold stories to the world. I was moved to see a group of passionate journalists, with the desire to share the truth and to protect the society. Once the story was printed, a lot more people voiced out their experiences and stories, and it showed that we needed courageous and brave people to help us to speak up.
What made this film more personal for me was the fact that it's a story about fear, molestation, and religion. In 2007, I wrote a detailed open post about what had happened to me when I was a young teenager. I kept a secret from my family and friends for a long time that very often, I got misunderstood for my choice of behavior towards certain things. I've been described as timid, paranoid, moody, and incredibly sensitive which I believe were symptoms of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For years I tried as much as I could to avoid social contact, intimacy, trusting people or even believing in my own faith.
The man who molested and harassed me as a young girl (up until I was 13), was a man that others perceived as a pious and good person. Perhaps that is true, but his inability to control himself and his desire took everything away from me. It took my dignity, my esteem, and my childhood. It took me years to finally move on and to forgive him for what he did, but I don't think I will ever forget what happened, and what changed me for good.
A movie like Spotlight deserved its win because these are stories worth hearing and worth knowing. Everyone should be aware that a matter such as molestation (or sexual abuse) should never be taken lightly. It is even more shocking to learn that these people who molested kids are sometimes people whom we assumed to be of good discipline, and manner - and especially religious. This was why I grew up questioning people's faith, especially those who speak so highly of it and always poking people with their misconception of the religion. How can they do such a thing if they are afraid of God? How?
I grew into my religion at my own pace because I should never blame my religion or God for what had happened to me. In fact, I absolutely love it being a Muslim. It teaches me patience and resilience, and so much more. However, still a tad skeptical about people who proclaimed themselves as religious and then doing otherwise.
Anyway, if you have the time - immerse yourself in films like these. My best two so far are ROOM and SPOTLIGHT. So much feelings!