Rotten Apple

'Rotten Apple' is a deep dive into the ugly truth of grooming and sexual assault in public and charter schools around America. Using a mixed media approach, the docu-drama breaks down the five stages of grooming that victims typically endure at the hands of a trusted teacher, coach or administrator. Furthermore, it explores the dangers and damage done by the lack of reporting of those who know what's happening but don't say a word. Finally, it reveals the long-lasting ripple effect these events can have on survivors, their families, and their communities. All of this is paralleled by a powerful narrative thread that tells the story of Megan, a teenaged student groomed and physically involved with a married teacher. As information is revealed in the informational part of the film, we weave in and out of portions to Megan's journey that accompany the content just revealed in interviews with educators, psychologists, prosecutors, family members, survivors of grooming and assault, as well as convicted offenders. Eventually, Megan's situation reaches a tipping point the leads her to suggest to the teacher, Mr. Darnold, that they tell everyone about their relationship. This triggers a series of events that sadly mirrors far too many similar scenarios in schools around our nation. Fearful of being exposed, Mr. Darnold uses his power and position to threaten Megan that, should she ever tell anyone, he'll destroy her dream of attending State University, an institution she's wanted to attend since childhood to follow in her father and grandfather's footsteps. The threat is too much for Megan to bear, as is the secret she's been keeping from everyone. Megan eventually takes her own life and it's at her funeral that it is finally revealed that, "Today, we place two bodies in one grave." You see, Megan was in her first trimester of pregnancy with Mr. Darnold's child when she committed suicide. Utilizing cinematic interviews, animations, illustrations, courtroom sketches, powerful narrative scenes and a myriad of other captivating visuals, award-winning director Justin Hunt weaves a cautionary tale that truly does have the power to shift the paradigm of thinking among students, parents, educators and administrators around the country, potentially the world. It not only shines a bright light on an issue that's been hiding in the shadows for decades, it projects an ugly image of what the future holds for potential victims if we don't step up and speak up when we see or hear something that we know to be wrong.