Max Docuseries ‘Teen Torture, Inc.’ Follows the Money in Abusive and Deadly Troubled Teen Industry

As a gamer and someone who follows news related to social issues, I find Paris Hilton’s testimony at the House Ways and Means Committee about her experiences at Provo School for troubled teens both shocking and inspiring. The fact that she has become the face of a growing movement against the billion-dollar troubled teen industry is a testament to her courage and resilience. Malone’s documentary, “Teen Torture, Inc,” weaves together stories of survivors from various generations and facilities, revealing the systemic abuse and manipulation that has gone on for decades.

Paris Hilton, formerly known for her socialite lifestyle, made a surprising appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee in late June, openly sharing her experiences of sexual abuse and being forced to take pills against her will at the Provo School when she was only 16. Though gaining attention is nothing new for Hilton, this time it held political and personal significance. Over the past five years, she has emerged as a prominent figure in the movement against the billion-dollar troubled teen industry, which is currently under scrutiny in Tara Malone’s trending documentary on Max.

Malone, who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter over the phone while her series “Teen Torture, Inc.” was popular on Max, continues to serve as a motivating force behind the expanding social movement portrayed in her three-part, three-hour production. By interlinking stories of survival from various generations and camps across the US, she exposes the deception in ads that lure parents into believing they are providing a new solution for their children, be they troubled or not, with harsh methods such as “scared straight” tactics. These tactics encompass verbal abuse and systemic mistreatment reminiscent of the infamous Stanford Prison Experiment.

The series reveals how some unlicensed and abusive facilities are linked to prominent U.S. businesses and politics, including Mitt Romney and his firm, Bain Capital. During this time, they acquired the Aspen Education Group, which was still in operation. This deal took place as Romney prepared for his presidential campaign, which Bain supported financially.

Malone emphasized the significance of clarifying the intricacies of our industry for the audience. With its complex layers, it’s crucial to help viewers grasp why our survivors behave as they do and how people respond to the story. Unraveling this web is a challenging task.

Two anecdotes from the harrowing accounts shared by “Teen Torture, Inc.” survivors stand out: Danielle Peskowitz Bregoli, also recognized as rapper Bhad Bhabie, became internet-famous in 2016 following her appearance on Dr. Phil, where she defiantly challenged the audience to find her outside; and Evan Ross, a journalist, penned a series of articles during his time embedded with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. These reports later inspired the production of “Generation Kill,” a 2006 HBO limited series.

In that television episode, Danielle discovered that her mother intended to send her to Turn-About Ranch in Escalante, Utah, for a six-month stay. Desperate, Danielle’s mother Barbara Ann Bregoli had taken her daughter to Dr. Phil McGraw’s show; McGraw was a well-known advocate for troubled teens and claimed to be shocked upon learning about the alleged abuse Danielle endured. According to Danielle, staff members at the ranch made her sit still for long periods without sleep as part of this abuse.

Malone expressed a strong preference for first-person and survivor accounts in storytelling. He emphasized the need to represent various generations in our narratives due to the persisting nature of the issue at hand. This problem isn’t new, having existed for decades, but it remains relevant today. There isn’t a specific type of teenager who experiences this; it can be influenced by economics, race, or location.

At the age of 13, Wright gained entry to one of Florida’s infamous Seed facilities. This teenager had been expelled from school for selling marijuana. The Seed facilities, which were numerous in Florida, have been criticized for their rehabilitation methods, which some liken to North Korea’s brainwashing tactics against the South and the cult Synanon. In these places, “attack therapy” was employed – a method where individuals were subjected to verbal abuse, humiliation, and mistreatment.

At The Seed, a school for experiments funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, Wright underwent a loss of privacy: being watched while using the bathroom, kept silent for extended periods, and required to declare commitment to a “final battle for the soul of America.” This involved being made to urinate and defecate in front of others, staying quiet for prolonged durations, and pledging allegiance to a cause.

“The only way to escape is to pretend to comply,” Wright tells the filmmakers in an interview.

In 2001, The Seed ceased to exist; however, its impact continued through Straight, Inc., a subsequent organization modeled after it. Tragically, both institutions are now known for their alarming rates of suicides and the lifelong struggles with PTSD and anxiety among those who attended. Regrettably, Wright became another statistic on July 12 when he was found dead in his Los Angeles residence, having taken his own life with a firearm.

Julian P. Hobbs, the executive producer of the series and principal at Talos Films, as well as Elli Hakami, have shared that Wright was not only a longtime friend of theirs but also played an essential role in producing the documentary. As a result, he was granted a co-executive producer credit.

“He played a crucial role in connecting the dots between various time periods, organizations, individuals, and power structures – a skill that Evan excels at,” the person explained.

The filmmakers acknowledged that tackling such a distressing subject would unearth deeply buried memories and childhood wounds, potentially causing great emotional upheaval. Consequently, they emphasized the importance of providing adequate care and support during the interview process.

Malone shared that there were numerous discussions ensuring we fully understood their requirements for the film and their respective expectations. It can be challenging for individuals to express honest feedback, he acknowledged. He views these frank talks as valuable opportunities.

The documentary “Teen Torture, Inc.” on Netflix joins “The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping” as the second film exploring the issue and aiming to promote change in homes of millions. Progress has been achieved towards banning deadly programs, such as a Missouri House Bill passed in 2021 which brought about improvements like mandatory background checks for staff and volunteers at children’s residential homes.

I’ve noticed a troubling trend in the gaming community: some problematic institutions are relocating south of the border or even overseas when faced with legal issues or lawsuits. These facilities prey on parents looking to unload their difficult teenagers, but I believe that change is on the horizon. I may not have control over the actions of these institutions, but I remain optimistic and committed to advocating for a better future.

I’ve noticed an compelling reason why this industry persists, with influential figures in Washington, D.C., financially invested and ideologically aligned, championing its continuation. Change may be difficult, but I sense it’s slowly gaining momentum.

2024-07-24 02:55

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