Watch Rewind

Rewind is a powerful and deeply personal documentary film that tells the story of filmmaker Sasha Joseph Neulinger's childhood experiences with sexual abuse and trauma. Through a combination of home movies, family photos, and present-day interviews with his family , Sasha tells the story of his journey from pain and fear to healing and hope.

The film is structured around Sasha's process of uncovering and confronting his past, beginning with his discovery of a box of old family videotapes. As he watches the videos, he begins to see fragments of his childhood that he had long since repressed - moments of joy and playfulness, but also instances of abuse and neglect perpetrated by family and trusted family friends. Sasha uses these archival materials as a starting point to interview his parents, siblings, and extended family , piecing together the story of his family's history and exploring the complex dynamics of abuse, secrecy, and denial that allowed the abuse to occur and continue.

What makes Rewind so powerful is the way that it integrates these personal and deeply emotional elements with larger issues related to child abuse and trauma. Throughout the film, Sasha meets with advocates, experts, and other survivors who share their own stories and offer insights into the challenges of addressing abuse within families and communities. These interviews are intercut with archival footage of public figures like Oprah Winfrey and Woody Allen discussing child abuse, and with statistics and research findings that demonstrate the pervasiveness and impact of abuse on children and families.

The film also touches on broader social and cultural issues related to abuse, including the stereotypes and misconceptions that often surround victims and survivors, and the ways in which shame, stigma, and fear can prevent people from seeking help or disclosing abuse. Sasha's own experiences and reflections become a lens through which these larger issues are explored, highlighting the complex interplay between individual trauma and broader societal structures and attitudes.

Despite the difficult subject matter, Rewind is ultimately a story of resilience and strength, of the power of love and family to overcome even the most profound traumas. Sasha is a deeply empathetic and engaging narrator, and the film is shot and edited with an artfulness and sensitivity that brings his story to life in vivid and poignant ways. Whether you have experienced abuse or trauma yourself, or simply care about issues related to child welfare and healthy families, this film is a must-see. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit, a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Overall, Rewind is a powerful and important film that shines a spotlight on the complex and devastating issue of child abuse and trauma. Through a combination of personal stories, expert insights, and societal analysis, it offers a rich and nuanced portrait of the ways in which abuse can impact families and communities, and the importance of empathy, connection, and healing in the aftermath of trauma. It is a film that will undoubtedly inspire important conversations and spark meaningful change.