Broken House Launch

May 23, 2007

“Broken House” - Young Offenders Create Leo-Award Winning Short Drama with Larry Lynn

Screening Sponsored by the Law Courts Education Society of BC

VANCOUVER, BC –   A short drama created by a group of seven young offenders incarcerated at the Burnaby Youth Secure Custody Centre will be the subject of a special screening and panel discussion on May 27th, sponsored by The Law Courts Education Society of B.C. 
The Law Courts Education Society of B.C. is a non-profit organization providing educational system programs and services related to the justice system in Canada and British Columbia.

Described as a "stunning and highly authentic look at life in a kid's prison," BROKEN HOUSE was nominated for four Leo Awards in 2006, and won the Best Short Drama category. It's just been selected for the JANA International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Beirut, Lebanon, as well as The Viewfinders International Film Festival for Youth in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has been nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award for Best Youth Production at the Yorkton Short Film Festival Vancouver Filmmaker Larry Lynn developed the project as part of a volunteer program he started four years ago at the Burnaby Centre. Determined to pass along both an understanding of the filmmaking process and its basic skill set to the young people there, he believed the program could offer these kids an opportunity to communicate in a new way.

 The film along with the critical reception it has received has changed lives. In the process, the young filmmakers have been able to both reflect on their own difficult backgrounds and learn from their mistakes in addition to presenting their view of the world to a whole new audience. They now know they have a voice… and that their stories matter.

"BROKEN HOUSE -- TROUBLED LIVES"
Sunday, May 27th, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Justice Institute Theatre
715 McBride Boulevard
New Westminster, BC
Canada  V3L 5T4

Free Admission

A post-screening panel discussion will follow regarding the possibilities open to professionals who work with young people in every sector, in order to promote a more holistic approach to problem-solving for youth at risk. Panel members include: Mark Gosse, Executive Director, Youth Justice & Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services, Ministry of Children and Family Development; Alana M. Abramson, Executive Director, North Shore Restorative Justice Society; Pastor Terry Martin, Former Chaplain at Burnaby Youth Secure Custody Centre; and Pamela Drew, Supervisor, Clinical Services Unit, Burnaby Youth Secure Custody Centre.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Laureen Tang
Communications Project Manager
Law Courts Education Society of BC
604.660.1943