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Branded Outreach
by: Carol McClure
photos: Jerry Richart
During the last several months, independent feature film Branded has been gaining attention and support from the regional Michigan filmmaking and acting community. The film combines purpose and entertainment value. Director and producer, Virginia Bryant, holds this project very close to her heart.
Branded, based on a true story, confronts the issue of sexual abuse, which has become all too common in society. “I want everyone to know, they must tell someone if something sexually unacceptable has happened to them,” Bryant said. “We need to educate our children about good and bad interactions with adults. Adults who have been victims of sexual confrontation or abuse need to report this, and keep telling someone, anyone, until they listen.”
The first movie written and directed by Bryant was In His Eyes, a short film depicting an emotional journey taken by a husband and father while his enlisted wife is deployed overseas. “I joined the Army at seventeen and celebrated my 18th birthday in Somalia,” she said. “I was active for three years.” Bryant wants to bring life experiences to film, and she is passionate about telling stories with insight gained from her life.
Branded was written by Mario Passera, an English major soon to graduate from Wayne State University, based on a story by Virginia Bryant. The film centers on Jesse, a seventeen year old girl played by actress, Sarah Benedict, who is date-raped by an older man. The plot follows the emotional damage caused by the traumatic event in Jesse’s life through the eyes of the people she interacts with, and how the secret continues to haunt her. The film follows Jesse through fifteen years of development as she processes the rape, and as her behavior changes resulting from her anger, fear, and pain.
Bryant is also the mother of two children who both have featured roles in Branded. Her 9-year-old son, Ian, plays the son of main character Jesse, and her 7-year-old daughter, Melina, plays the daughter of another single parent.
The Branded promoters have been organizing sexual abuse fundraiser events at The Token Lounge in Westland, Michigan. Bryant and the Branded troupe plan to continue these events at various venues throughout Michigan. The events run three hours long and feature skits based on Branded’s message. They are performed by regional actors like Jonathan West and Vikki Gasko.
“I have seen people cry or fight back tears who have not even experienced sexual abuse in their lives,” Bryant said. “I have seen men I have known for a long time, who are not usually emotional, moved by what they are watching in these short skits and it helps make me realize how powerful and necessary the need is for awareness.”
Much of the support that Branded is getting comes from a close network of Michigan film industry professionals rallying around a cause that everyone can relate to. The goal of the events is to talk about abuse and to start the healing process. The events are free; however, attendees are requested to bring stuffed animals to send overseas to the troops.
The Branded outreach campaign provides attendees with information on community resources like crisis lines, housing, and shelters. Bryant and her thirteen person team are also planning to take the show on the road. They plan to spread awareness to ten major cities across the U.S. in 2011.
Branded producers Virginia Bryant and Joe Tinpan, are currently securing investors and developing distribution plans. Interested parties can contact Virginia Bryant at :
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