This was quite interesting. A very gripping documentary, it covered alot in an hour.

This was a well crafted documentary with a compelling story and subject. I would love to know what father and son think of the film...

What an amazing family! This documentary was so moving. Kole is obviously a very articulate person, highly intelligent and brave. Art is an equally impressive, loving person. I watched the story unfold with my daughter who is 18 and she too was very touched by the story and struck by the lasting harm that can be done to children. We are hopeful that they and the rest of the family can make peace with past and enjoy the future.
Our best wishes to all of them.

Your "Dad", no matter how flawed at being open, seems to have your best interest at heart and could provide a lesson to many biological father's that need to step up and be there for their "children", whether grown-up or still growing.

You did what it took to get through your life to this point as best you could and let no one find fault in that. You survived.

I sincerely wish you the best and hope you have the chance in the future to not only survive, but thrive!

Best of Luck!!!!

I just watched the documentary and I was very impressed by the intelligence of Kole. He is portrayed at first as very angry, true. However, the scene where he teaches his father how to hug for the sake of it is wonderful. I liked the mohawk (and I'm a father of a 27 year old). His invitation for his father to cut it was symbolic and an extremely brave and vulnerable thing for him to do.

Kole! You have much to be proud of - you've come a long way, and your way has NOT been easy. Even though it may be a slow and gradual journey, IT CAN BE DONE. Your story disseminated through the media has undoubtedly touched many lives, especially of other people of courage who have survived sexual abuse. You are inspirational - just because it is a tremendous challenge, it doesn't mean that you can't overcome your pain.

All of the pain and anger you have can be directed to constructive behaviours - like creating artsy films or something else that satisfies your artistic, dark, and profoundly deep nature.

Art - your sincere work at rebuilding your relationships with your stepchildren are very noble. A lot of deadbeat dads out there make it really nasty for the rest of the loving and compassionate dads. Your attempts haven't been in vain - you were on CBC! Thank you for being a male role model for your stepchildren, the world needs more individuals and men of such substance.

kole... I'm moved and intregued, our lives run parallel. It seems all to often I hear of stories like ours... I've grown from my experience. Why does soceity deem too men hugging as being "gay" ? Soceity should realize that there is nothing wrong with men showing affection. I've been brain-washed with sterotypes from past generations who deem the act of men hugging as taboo. It's not how I want to live my life. I'm in touch and secure with who I am and if I want to hug a friend just because... then so be it! Thank you for sharing.

we all deal with things differently change and growth comes from having friends or family stand with us while we go through it
great show
whish i cought it all

It touched me to watch this documentary. I am a survivor of 32 foster placements in Nova Scotia., now living on the West Coast. Even after 43 years since the time I was a child in care, the issues that Kole faces are issues that I have dealt with or am still dealing with.

It touched something in me listening to Art tell his son how he'd not been raised with a fathers love and wasn't demonstrative with his giving of himself, emotionally. Kole is very aware of his fathers dead-pan, unemotional side. I am like that and am sometimes disconeced or unemotional in my getting close to others...in intimacy especially.

Kole has used sex, drugs and distancing himself to survive his emotional demons. My experiences while in care have led me down many of the same paths as he is on now. At 52, I've dealt with many of my issues and 'demons'. I do still struggle and i suppose I always will. I am able to accept that and live my life as fully as possible...allowing myself to have a few social short-comings.

It also touched something in me listening to Kole struggle with the idea of going back to face his abuser. I was also abused...sexually, physically, emotionally, psychologically....you name it! i am a gay man and I have been diagnosed with HIV 22 years ago. My lifestyle of promiscuity and longing to find love led me to unhealthy sex practices and...the rest is history! I know Art through his Volunteer work with PWA'S in Victoria. i am a client with both ASO's in victoria.

In so many ways, I was Kole. My anger may not have been as strong and I wasn't as willing to go to such great lengths to avoid my emotions. My saving grace was my promiscuity...but it was also my downfall...it was also my 'wake-up call'...

Today, i am married to a man that was also a relinquished child. He is an Adoptee. We are in our 20th year together. Until I met him, i didn't know love with out any sexual expectation... like the love of a family. My life is complete because of our loving relationship.

Thanks for your documentary! It made me stop and realize how far I've come!! I get lost in the memories often, feeling like I'm still there... I really have grown up...at 52!

Again, thanks,

Joshua D. Gavel

Hello!!

This was the most beutiful documentary I have seen! between a father and son
I have never seen such brave spirit!!
Thank you for sharing such an important piece!!

Warmest,

Jean

I enjoyed this documentary. It was very open, honest and it felt raw. My concern is for other young boys who were or still are being assaulted by the man who abused Kole. I'd like him to continue to pursue the case. If not for him then for others.

Kole seems like a very caring person. I think it would be good for him to look beyond his own issues and think about other people.I feel bad for the women he's ever been involved with - he has a twisted attitude. Counseling could probably help him work thru a lot of it.

I was happy to hear Kole has given up porn - for now. He's obviously very talented and hopefully he will make other documentaries with his father. He's lucky to have him in his life. I'm glad to hear he reconnected with his sister and her family.

Great story. I like how both the father and son redeemed each other.

To the father: just love your son...show him you accept him. keep up the work with your son he needs you and loves you. it is not your fault that your son was abused. you are a good man and a good father.

To the sister: do not put your perception of the porn industry in the way of your relationship with your brother...what someone does for money is not who someone is. be a better sister.

To the son: people outside of the porn industry do not understand that porn is such a minor portion of the industry...there are real challenges that require talent to overcome...the industry offers you a way to develop and express your talents. your father loves you and is from another generation that is sexually and emotionally repressed. follow your heart, if you enjoy your work, do it, and do it well. you are a good man and a good son.

I found this film quite moving and enlightening.
I noticed that Kole at first was interested in pursuing his abuser but soon dropped his interest
Was this because the police advised him of the slim chances of prosecution on these charges in this particular situation?

Great Documentary. Kole and Art should be commended not only for their bravery in confronting their own personal issues, but for publicly sharing their issues and their vulnerabilities. This touching documentary will surely help others with their personal issues and struggles. Kole's reluctance to seek professional help (ie therapy) however, should serve as a warning to others (faced with similar pain) that they need not suffer the pain in silence. Help is available and healing is possible. I send my sincere gratitude and hugs to Art and Kole and the makers of this great documentary.
Robert Freedland
Director
The Organization for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence.
Toronto, Canada

To pick up on Cody's comment. I think that Kole's comments at the end about having his father hug him just to be aware of him in that moment, was the essence of the story for me. I'd like to use those words in future to remind people how important it is to engage and connect with the ones you love in that way. Who knows how Kole's or Art's life might have been different if they had connections like that earlier in life.

I am deeply touched by the generous comments and very pleased that our documentary has struck a chord with so many of you.

In answer to the question about Kole not pursuing the pedophile, no, the police were willing and the private detective, to her credit, was willing to pursue the case for free. Kole felt uneasy about it and his reticence stopped the police investigation. Sadly, they have way too many cases on their books in which the complainant is willing to go forward.

This film was, as you can imagine, a tough one to do. I've had misgivings throughout (not to mention some embarrassment about things like my inability to hug properly) but it seems to be paying off in Kole's life. I'm thrilled with some of the things that he has been saying lately about finding a direction into the future.

I think it was pretty brave of Kole to speak out loud about his abuse. At the age of 47 I have never been able to do that. I deal with a lot of shame because of it.

The way I see it is that Art is obviously a good person, document or no document.

I hope that the document/talking out loud helps you on your road to healling. You are not alone.

Good documentary.

At first, I must admit I was feeling uneasy about even watching it, but as I started watching it, I felt it became more and more interesting, as I have people around me that reminded me of Kole and what he/they are/were going through.

Both Art and Kole were very charismatic, which made the doc even better.

I wish Kole all the best and hope that he finds a way to be happy and I hope he pursues photography. Being 24 and having a photography passion myself, I hope he can discover and explore other dimensions of photography. He's explored and known one dimension (porn), but there are so many other things that he could do with his photo talent, and maybe if he broadens/opens his mind, he may find something that will eventually make him even happier than porn did.

I wish Art all the best as well and that he can continue to love and support Kole as best he can, without judging him.