CONVERSION Movie release party set for tonight at Big Bar
Conversion therapy survivors tell their story in a now publicly released documentary created and produced by Kentuckian Zach Meiners. To celebrate this, Big Bar will be rolling out the red carpet tonight from 6 – 8 p.m.
Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports & Entertainment Company, announced today the acquisition of U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to CONVERSION. The film won prizes at Film Invasion Los Angeles and Portland Film Festival.
A story by survivors, CONVERSION takes us on a personal and cinematic journey as a filmmaker, an ex-Mormon mom, and a famous drag queen unite to overcome the mental and physical impacts of enduring conversion “therapy.” When filmmaker Meiners discovered that his former conversion “therapist” was still active, he began an endeavor to amplify and empower the voices of survivors, and expose the secretive and often deadly industry.
With interviews from doctors, experts, and the founder of one of the most expansive conversion “therapy” networks in the US, CONVERSION is a thought provoking insight into a dangerous underground industry that is constantly rebranding, adapting and growing to this day. Ultimately a film about strength and hope, CONVERSION aims to give a voice to survivors of conversion “therapy,” who are often left out of the conversation, and speak to the next generation who may not have a voice, choice or pathway out of the trauma being inflicted on them.
Bill Guentzler, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Operations at Gravitas Ventures said, “Gravitas is proud to be bringing the extremely personal stories presented in Conversion to audiences in the US and Canada. Zach Meiners presents these stories expertly and with clear empathy in a positively therapeutic way.”
“This film began as a PSA, but as I began interviewing other survivors it became clear that the project needed to grow, said director Zach Meiners. “Conversion “therapy” is a dangerous and deadly practice that is happening right now all across the world, but also right in our backyards. I felt it was important to tell my and the other survivor’s stories, not only to bring hope to the children and people going through this “therapy” right now, but to educate people on the dangers and effects of this industry, so that together we can save lives.”
The film was produced by Marc Singer, Taylor Young, Josh Covington, Leilani Gushiken, and Brad Wagster. READ MORE ABOUT CONVERSION THROUGH OUR PREVIOUS REPORTING.
