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An INDIEGOGO campaign for a documentary by Attiya Khan & Lawrence Jackman Executive Produced by Sarah Polley | Produced by Christine Kleckner

http://igg.me/at/ABetterManFilm

SHORT SYNOPSIS | ABetterManFilm.com A Better Man is a film that will help advance the movement to end violence against women through a deeper focus on helping abusive men to change.

INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN | igg.me/at/ABetterManFilm The purpose of this project is to persuade the public, policy makers, and those who work in the domestic violence field to widen their focus to include abusers as a means of preventing violence against women.

"The man who abused me when we were teenagers is now taking responsibility for his actions. One of the things he said was, 'Attiya, I wish I could have been a better man.' I'm making this documentary because I believe he, and people like him, can change, and I want to create a space for that to happen. I see our conversation as a starting point to advance the movement to end violence against women."

This campaign is unique because of co-director Attiya Khan’s experiences as a victim of abuse, and her interest in understanding the problems that her former abuser encountered throughout his lifetime. The documentary, A Better Man, highlights Attiya’s personal journey over twenty years from a teenager in an abusive relationship, to an advocate for domestic violence survivors, to an activist seeking systemic change and a survivor who is prepared to help her former abuser. She is the heart, soul and voice of this campaign.

IMPORTANT DATES November 10 - December 20: Indiegogo campaign for A Better Man November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

FUNDRAISING GOAL Our goal is to raise $75,000 in 40 days. On November 12, internationally acclaimed singer- songwriter Feist offered her support by contributing $10,000 towards the film's production. We reached more than 50% of our goal within five days. Funding will go towards the first phase of filming with Attiya and her former abuser.

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com PERKS The most significant perks for this campaign have been created to honour those whose lives have been impacted by violence against women. Donors can contribute as survivors, or in honour of victims who have experienced violence against women. These names, initials, or anonymous signatures will be included in the final credits of the film. Gift cards in the theme of self-care can also be purchased for friends and family, including rejuvenating and healing perks for yoga, exercise and salons. Another perk is a casual living room concert with Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge and a special guest. In addition to Associate Producer credits and VIP screenings, the campaign is offering the wonderful opportunity to dine with the crew, including Executive Producer Sarah Polley.

THE FILMMAKERS

SARAH POLLEY (Executive Producer) is a writer-director whose dramatic features include Away from Her (nominated in 2007 for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and winner of the 2008 Genie Awards for Best Motion Picture and Achievement in Direction) and Take This Waltz, starring Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams and Sarah Silverman. Her most recent film, Stories We Tell, was awarded Best Documentary by the Toronto Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle, the National Board of Review and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. It was also on the shortlist for the 2013 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Sarah is currently adapting Margaret Atwood's historical novel, Alias Grace, as well as John Green's debut novel, Looking for Alaska.

CHRISTINE KLECKNER (Producer) is a producer whose short film Barefoot (2012) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, received honourable mention at The Berlinale, and was selected for the Not Short on Talent Showcase at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Prior to that, she produced Wapawekka (2010) which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Sundance and the Berlinale. During her time with the National Film Board of Canada, she collaborated on groundbreaking projects including Stories We Tell, Home Again, and the multi-platform Filmmaker-in-Residence. Christine also worked on CTV’s acclaimed Corner Gas, and her productions have been acquired by CBC, Air Canada, APTN and the Movie Network. She is an alumni of the National Screen Institute of Canada’s Drama Prize Program. Christine resides in Toronto working freelance in documentary and drama.

ATTIYA KHAN (Writer, Co-Director) is a mother, feminist, domestic violence survivor, and long-time advocate and counselor for abused women and children. She has worked in women’s shelters in Canada and the United States, including serving as Director of Child and Youth services at a shelter in Boston. At the YWCA Toronto, she supported the communications and advocacy team, facilitated a training program on crisis intervention, and administered the December 6th Fund, which offers interest-free loans for women fleeing domestic violence. Attiya is married to Alex Mazer, a lawyer, businessperson, and public policy advisor. They live in downtown Toronto with their son, Elliot.

LAWRENCE JACKMAN (Writer, Co-Director) is a Toronto-based filmmaker. Over the past fifteen years he has worked on many award-winning films, focusing primarily on independent documentaries and dramas. He often works as an editorial consultant that includes a long- standing association with the National Film Board of Canada, and is experienced working at critical stages to creatively and structurally bring films to completion. Both as an editor and in his own filmmaking, he is interested in creative storytelling and pushing genre boundaries. In 2011 he directed the award-winning How Does It Feel, a documentary musical about the importance of creative fulfillment told through the musical pursuits of a singer with cerebral palsy.

IRIS NG (Director of Cinematography) has been collaborating with filmmakers and artists for over a decade. Her credits include Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell, Morgan Spurlock’s Committed: The Toronto International Film Festival, Angad Singh Bhalla’s Herman’s House, Rama Rau’s The Market, Min Sook Lee’s My Toxic Baby and international art installation projects by Luis Jacob and Chris Curreri.

DEVELOPMENT PHASE Throughout the research phase, we’ve spoken with friends, experts, lawmakers, police

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com officers and grassroots groups who agree there is a lack of support available to men who use violence. What we’ve learned is that if we help abusive men to change, we can make real progress towards ending violence against women. Key issues that the film will explore:

Despite decades of important work by people in the domestic violence field, the incidence of violence against women remains intolerably high. We must help abusive men to change while also continuing to support survivors; it’s about AND not OR. We must help abusive men to take responsibility for their actions and learn how to have healthy, non-abusive relationships. The systems we have built to prevent violence against women need a much greater focus on helping abusive men to change.

Endorsements Sarah Polley, Filmmaker "A Better Man is one of the most original concepts for a documentary I have ever encountered. I have never seen anyone approach this subject matter from such an original perspective. It is inspiring beyond measure to have witnessed some of the process of the development of this film. I think it will shock, inspire, motivate and heal. It is the film that I am most excited to see in the next couple of years and it is a great honour to be a part of it."

Leslie Feist, Singer-Songwriter "The hidden dynamic of abuse is pervasive and is often shrouded by an uncomfortable politeness between witnesses and the details. What moves me about Attiya Khan’s concept for A Better Man is the spotlight being given to the abuser. From the courageous position of a woman who’s had 20 years to consider what she endured and with a willingness to hear another version of the same experience, I believe this will be an important documentary and spark a conversation we will all benefit from."

Owen Pallett, Composer/Musician "This documentary has the capacity to break down two enormous societal barriers. The first is the stigma of victimhood, that Attiya is able to publicly recount the details of her abuse without fear, and without shame. The second is the stigma of the abuser. Abuse is so ridiculously common, and the majority of people who commit acts of physical or sexual violence, these are not monsters, they are our friends and our family members. I fully endorse the creation of Attiya Khan's A Better Man documentary. It is a brave and inspiring project."

Doug Block, Documentary Filmmaker (112 Weddings, The Children Next Door) "Having made both personal documentaries and a short documentary about domestic violence, I can attest that A Better Man has the potential to be not just an important film but an unusually powerful one. Audiences relate to a well-made personal documentary with a fervor and passion unlike any other genre of film. And having gotten to know Attiya and the people she's surrounded herself with to help her, I can't imagine her film will be anything less than extremely well made. I urge you to add your name to her growing list of helpers!"

Amanda Dale B.A (Hons.), M.A, MSt (LL.M, Oxford) Executive Director of Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic "I know Attiya Khan. She is an important ally to the everyday work on women's rights and safety. Her film is an emotionally courageous project that turns our understanding of violence against women on its head. It is the breakthrough we have been waiting for. Hold onto your seat and get ready to have your mind blown."

Todd Minerson, Executive Director of White Ribbon Campaign “It is a real privilege to offer an endorsement for this vital documentary project. While the topic is not new, the approach is revelatory. Why do men use violence against women? Told through a captivating conversation with a man who used violence, this documentary will shed light into a dark corner we better need to understand to get to the root causes of the pandemic of violence against women.”

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com Tod Augusta-Scott, MSW, RSW, Executive Director of Bridges Institute “A Better Man has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of domestic violence. The film will offer a new feminist analysis of domestic violence, which will lead to greater safety, equality and respect for women. The direction of the documentary is brave, intelligent, and hopeful. It has the potential to change the lives of both women who have experienced abuse and those that care about them.”

Sollange Umwali, Project Lead, Toronto Justice Service Collaborative, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health “I worked with Attiya at a grassroots feminist organization that provided crisis counselling to survivors of domestic violence, and it is no surprise that A Better Man leaves us with a multi- dimensional appreciation of human and community resilience. A Better Man will demonstrate the possibility of transformation. We will be challenged to explore the complex dynamics of domestic violence, and focus that understanding towards holistic healing."

Michael Kaufman, author, international educator, and co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign “I think we can end men's violence against women. One step is knowing that most men don't use violence in their relationships and believing that those who do can change. Whether they actually do change requires some very thoughtful work. A Better Man is a courageous and stunning contribution to a future without violence against women. It tackles some hard questions, foregoes simplistic solutions, and reaches out with both a challenge and deep compassion. By doing all this, it provides us with a vision full of immense hope and possibility.”

Mike Layton, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 19 “Though millions of families are deeply impacted by gender based violence, those living it, victims and perpetrators, are far to often afraid or ashamed to confront and discuss the issue. Dialog is the first step towards identifying underlying issues and taking them on, allowing society to not only confront violence in all its forms, but to focus on preventing violence by better understanding its root. I believe all men, fathers, friends, and colleagues, play a key role in preventing gender based violence. This project explores the roots of gender based violence in order to help the audience and society prevent it.”

Tara Muldoon, Director/Founder of F-You: The Forgiveness Project “A Better Man is crucial. I'm excited about the conversation, forgiveness and healing that will come out of this project. Attiya is one of the bravest women I've ever met.”

Ian DeGeer, PhD (can), social worker/researcher/consultant “A Better Man could not be more timely. We are inundated with examples of how men use violence to control their partners. We are often left we few answers and more questions than we started with. With courage and bravery Attiya Khan is searching for these elusive answers. Starting by facing her own abuser and through conversations with those working on this issue this documentary aims to provide insights and answers about or working with men who abuse women. I could not think of a more important or urgent documentary that needs to be supported and made."

Mark Sakamoto, #1 bestselling author of Forgiveness: A Gift from My Grandparents "An honest look into suffering of the worst kind uncovers one woman's incredible strength and perseverance. I wish it were unnecessary, but this is a story I want my two daughters to know."

Darren O’Donnell, Artistic and Research Director, Mammalian Diving Reflex “Attiya Khan confronts us with the complex and horrifying banality of domestic violence, then guides us to listen to, learn from, if not go so far as to find compassion for the abuser. Not in some gesture of humanist understanding but rather as a piece of vital research that is desperately necessary. Pathologizing the mind of the abuser allows their monstrous behaviour to remain just that, monstrous and unassailable to our human logic, mysterious and vile. But surely these are the people who hold the key to effective intervention and prevention. Theories and treatment require their expert validation for, without it, we know nothing. Putting herself on the line yet again, Khan carefully reaches toward her abuser, bringing us along to share in insights.”

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com Production Company Press Contact Intervention Productions Inc. Janette Luu Toronto, ON [email protected] [email protected] c: 416-371-7669 c: 416-830-7931 Images available at Social Media ABetterManFilm.com. facebook.com/ABetterManFilm Trailer available upon request. @ABetterManFilm youtube.com/ABetterManFilm instagram.com/ABetterManFilm

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