Edinburgh International Film Festival
Official Selection
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The Jaundiced Eye1999
This harrowing documentary chronicles the decade long trials and traumas incurred by a Michigan man, Stephen Matthews, and his straight father, Melvin Matthews, who were wrongfully accused by Stephen's ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend of molesting Stephen's son. Despite the fact that there was no physical evidence (although accusations included the torturous use of a machete), both Stephen and Melvin Matthews were sentenced to 35 years in jail. Eventually released from incarceration, both men went into the world to find that the prosecution wanted to put them on trial again, despite a total lack of evidence. Stephen Matthew's story is a horrifying example of justice miscarried in a society of legal labyrinths where science is easily confused with fact, and sexual orientation can provoke prosecutorial vendettas based upon long-held biases.
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1 member likes this review
Yet another example of the flaws in our legal system, and the way prejudices against certain types of lifestyles can lead to ruinous results. That Stephen was able to keep his head up and hold on to his sense of humour is a testament to his strength and his character. I only hope that someday his boy will be able to reconcile the facts with the fiction.
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Member Reviews (3)
Yet another example of the flaws in our legal system, and the way prejudices against certain types of lifestyles can lead to ruinous results. That Stephen was able to keep his head up and hold on to his sense of humour is a testament to his strength and his character. I only hope that someday his boy will be able to reconcile the facts with the fiction.
1 member likes this review
top reviewer
An awful burning thru some of the accumulated religious trash that makes the basis of every politicized justice system. Here's a tale of USA macho homophobes persecuting progressives who supposedly endangered a child family member when they failed to conform to bronze-age religious practice.
One small disappointment- While the instigator of this tragedy takes a lonely stand, demanding the right to maintain another man's son in a tiny, intolerant, "straight" cult, he fails to take any opportunity to explain his rationale. Ultimately he offers nothing but prejudice - and no actual evidence of anything, failing even to show himself on-camera.
I do feel for his angry burdens isolation but his limited life to hide in the pits of Hallelujah Holler have all been his own choice.
a constant talking movie. no action. kinda boring