Roll Red Roll is a documentary film which premiered in 2018. It is about a case of rape which took place in Steubenville, Ohio, during the night of 11-12 August 2012.
A teenage girl (aged 16), who was incapacitated by alcohol, was raped by two teenage boys, who were also 16. Both boys were members of the local high school football team which is known as the Big Red. The slogan of the team (and the internet address of its website) is “Roll Red Roll.” Hence the title of the film.
Here is some basic information about this film:
** Director: Nancy Schwartzman
** Editor: Christopher White
** Production company: Sunset Park Pictures
** Run time: 80 minutes
The victim is known as Jane Doe in order to protect her identity. Her real name is not mentioned. She is neither seen nor heard in the film. It is not necessary.
The perpetrators are:
** Trent Mays
** Malik Richmond
The evidence used to identify them as the perpetrators was created by themselves and their friends. They used social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) to talk about what had happened during the night of 11-12 August 2012.
On social media, Trent and Malik bragged about what they had done with the girl. They joked about what had happened and talked about her as someone who got what she deserved.
Trent and Malik were charged with kidnapping and rape. When they were charged, the local community responded with surprise and disappointment:
These boys are good students and well-known members of the high school football team! How could anyone wish to accuse them of such serious crimes? How could anyone wish to give the town, the high school, and the football team a bad name by accusing the boys of such serious crimes?
There was almost no public support or understanding for the victim of the crime.
In 2013, Trent and Malik were tried in a court of law. The charge of kidnapping was dropped, but the charge of rape remained. Both boys were found guilty.
** Trent was given a sentence of two years in prison. One year for the rape and one year for taking and sending pictures of Jane Doe. He was released in January 2015
** Malik was given a sentence of one year in prison. One year for the rape. He was released in January 2014
Several people are interviewed in the film. I will not mention all names here, because the complete list is too long. I will name two persons who helped bring the case to a national (and even an international) audience:
** Alexandria Goddard – a true crime blogger who grew up in Steubenville. She had left Steubenville long before the events of 2012, but kept up an interest in what happened in her former home town. Her true crime blog is called “Prinniefied.”
** Rachel Dissell – a reporter who worked for The Cleveland Plain Dealer for many years (2002-2020)
What do reviewers say about this film? Here are the results of three review aggregators:
71 per cent = IMDb
83 per cent = Meta
75 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the audience)
100 per cent = Rotten Tomatoes (the critics)
As you can see, the ratings are quite good. When you look at Rotten Tomatoes, you can see that there is a significant difference between the general audience and the professional critics. The audience seem to have some reservations, although they are positive, while the critics are ready to go all the way to the top.
In this case, I have to side with the critics. This film is a powerful document about an important topic. It is highly recommended.
PS # 1. For more information about the case, see the following items:
** Connor Simpson, “The Steubenville Victim Tells her Story,” The Atlantic, 16 March 2013
** Jeanette Catsoulis, “Roll Red Roll Review: A Horrifying Assault in a Small Ohio Town,” New York Times, 21 March 2019
** Robert Abele, “Review: Roll Red Roll examines the Steubenville rape case and a culture of toxic masculinity,” Los Angeles Times, 3 April 2019
** Michael Phillips, “Roll Red Roll review: Notorious Ohio Rape Case Exposes a Town’s Complicit Culture,” Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2019
PS # 2. Both boys were placed on a sex offender list. According to an ESPN report of 12 May 2018, a judge decided that Malik Richmond should be removed from the sex offender list. As far as I know, Trent Mays is still on the list.
PS # 3. In 2019, Trent Mays was accused of having committed another sexual assault. For details, see Alexandria Goddard’s crime blog “Prinniefied” (25 March 2019).
PS # 4. For general information about this topic, see the following items:
** The Invisible War (2012)
** The Hunting Ground (2015)
** Audrie & Daisy (2016)
** I am Evidence (2017)
** The Rape of Recy Taylor (2017)
*****
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