Below are audience reactions to the rough cut of House Devil, Street Angel. If these reactions are to the unfinished film, just think about the possibilities for the completed project.
Michael Kimmel: “There is something so raw, so honest, about this film. Using the camera as a mirror, Fivel Rothberg shows both how the sins of the fathers are visited upon the sons, and how the sons can challenge these sins, disentangle the knots of rage and stoicism, and end that cycle of inter-generational legacies.”
Lance Somerfeld, Co-organizer NYC Dads Group : “Gritty and telling film with a strong message about the importance of fatherhood”
Matt Schneider, Co-organizer NYC Dads Group : “Thought provoking. Encourages me to think about my own father and relationship with my sons.”
Martin M: “An emotional and powerful narrative that tackles touch and often taboo topics.”
Gregory J. : “It was an affirmation of fatherhood and illustrated the experiences that lead to choices we make as individuals attempting to define our own manhood.”
Scott M: “It hit home. After our discussion of the film, it seems that everyone has an experience that makes them intimately associate with it.”
Joe D.: “I was moved, it was pretty emotional for me because of the similarities I saw in my own father, and myself. If you’re a father, you should watch it!”
Sabrina R: “People should see this film because it might prompt them to re-examine their relationships with their fathers or think about the cyclical nature of abuse. It made me want to know more about how someone can counteract learned behaviors and internalized norms.”
A.Y.: “I think people should watch this film because we need to think and talk about fatherhood. Our fathers can be abusive, or silent, present yet still absent.”
Angelica: “Watching the film made me think about how hard it is for men to struggle with their masculinities, fatherhood, as well as the effects of domestic violence.”
Joseph P: This film was quite moving as it was very interesting to see how someone who was very young and didn’t intend to be a father, nor have the best experiences with his own, negotiate the contours of fatherhood.”
Simratpal: “Unexpectedly I felt like I could relate to almost everything in the film in regards to my own father. I ended up crying during quite a few parts because it hit very close to home. While this film only documents one family, it represents so many more.”
Galit A.: “The strongest part of the film had to be the interviews with your dad, everything he refused to say said a great deal about the culture of fatherhood and its silencing, its unwillingness to talk about parenting mistakes.”
Mason N.: “As a young adult of divorced parents I can’t tell you how well your film evokes the feelings of loneliness, abandonment and searching for fault in an undesired situation fro the perspective of a child.”