Benefit for JANE The Movie by the Santa Cruz Chapter of Women’s Council of Realtors
What do a powerful group of women realtors, an internationally renowned car designer and collector, and a small band of filmmakers have in common? They are all supporting the creation of a feature film, designed to help change the culture of rape.
With one in four American girls sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday, our community is backing an innovative, creative way to make a difference: they are supporting a film that tells the story about how one girl finds her way back to a sense of wholeness and healing in the face of a traumatic rape at the hands of someone she trusted.
Music sensation Chris Rene, who shot to stardom on the X-Factor, will be doing a special exclusive performance at the benefit. Chris, who is a native of Santa Cruz, will be singing some of his original songs in honor of the special night and the mission of JANE.
Bruce Canepa has graciously offered to host the exclusive event at his showroom. Come and see The World’s Most Expensive Car at the JANE benefit on July 20, along with dozens of other multi-million dollar cars. A low estimate for this car would be $50 Million! It is a 1921 Duesenberg — in fact, the 1st Duesenberg ever made — and has remained within one family for that entire time.
Get your Tickets at www.Janebenefit.com – $75 provides and opportunity to be in the movie — Fine Wines — Live Auctions and Drawings — and so much more!
The Story of JANE
Fiercely independent fifteen-year-old Jane Stewart wants to be a poet. She dyes her hair different colors and rides her Heelys (shoes with wheels). Living with her romance-novel writing Aunt Claire, feels like living inside a Hallmark card.
Then Alex Martin comes into her life. Sexy, gorgeous, funny and famous, Martin seems to understand her need to create —until he creates chaos by raping her. Jane collapses into silence within a shell of pain and guilt. Aunt Claire, along with Jane’s best friend Sam, take on the burning need to fight back. Together, the three create an unexpected alliance. They’re determined to bring Alex to justice, but Alex’s family with its wealthy lawyers and private detectives do their job well so that the legal system bends to the demands of privilege.
Alex wins the court battle but in terms of character, courage, and a bold confrontation with Alex, the heroic pay-off is for Jane and Sam. It is Jane’s connection with her inner life and with the strength of her creative impulse to create meaning by writing her poetry that redeems Jane.
After it’s release and distribution, JANE will have a “second life” as the foundation for an educational tool that can travel to high school health classes, youth groups, college classes, community centers and crisis centers along with a facilitator’s guide, so a healthy discussion can be sparked from the film, its characters and its content.
With sexual assault happening to 1 in 4 American girls, the subject deserves to be discussed in schools and in the community. JANE is not about revenge; it is about “becoming whole” again after trauma. This subject is rarely talked about in any meaningful or healing way. The time for that to change is right now – and it starts with JANE!
We want to be part of the change we believe in,” says Aldina Maciel, President of the Women’s Council of Realtors, Santa Cruz County. “We really see how a heroine’s story, well told and focused on healing and prevention can make a difference in our children’s lives. On our watch, we will take a stand to change the culture of rape.”
Once the Women Realtors sprang into action, Realtor Bernice Wong knew just where to go to get help. Bruce Canepa decided to be one of the men who stands up too. He has opened his amazing Car Collection and Motorsport Museum for a special benefit to help get the movie made.
“When I heard that the whole community was getting behind the film,” says screenwriter Deborah Allen, “and that they really got our mission, I cried.” JANE is based on Deborah’s personal story of rape at age 15, and as she says, “It has taken me until I am 60 to talk about it. Everywhere we go now, someone in the room will tell their story. One in four – we need to make this shadow visible.”
“Getting a film made outside the studio system in no small matter,” says JANE director Mike Buffo, head of HARA Motion Pictures in Monterey. “Everyone wants our Monterey Bay communities to be magnets for filmmakers, but it takes time to build a professional crew based locally. JANE is part of bringing new life and new business to Santa Cruz and Monterey.”
Ike Jablon, Producer of JANE said, “Only a few years ago, an independent film like JANE probably couldn’t have existed — this issue was still too “taboo” — but today people are ready to confront the epidemic of rape. The cost of making this film along with finding a credible “name” actor to play Alex could be as much as $1,000,000. That is why this is a community effort to fund this project.”
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Contacts: Women’s Council of Realtors-Santa Cruz Chapter President Aldina Maciel (831) 840-1360 and Event Chair Bernice Wong (831) 818-2300
JANE The Movie – Ike Jablon, Producer; (831) 345-1950; [email protected]; www.facebook.com/JaneTheMovie
For more Info & to purchase tickets: www.JANEbenefit.com