O.L.I.V.E. to host documentary screening

Madera’s O.L.I.V.E. organization, with help from the Madera County Department of Social Services, will host a screening of Perfect Strangers, a documentary exploring what happens when dangerous impostors infiltrate the digital worlds, romantic fantasies, and longing for attention of unsuspecting young women and underage girls. 

Tickets are on sale for Thursday’s screening for $8 on Eventbrite, or one can visit the organization’s website at www.olivemadera.com for a link to purchase. Everyone who purchases a ticket gets popcorn and a drink. The screening begins at 7 p.m. at Madera Movies.

“We bought the theater out, and we will get reimbursed through the ticket sales,” said O.L.I.V.E. Executive Director April Molina. “The Madera County Department of Social Services gave funding to host this. The film received a private grant.”

The film examines how trafficking typically begins, not with brute force, but with deception, emotional manipulation, false intimacy, and fake personas. Drawing on survivor testimony, law-enforcement insight, and real-world accounts, the film examines how seemingly ordinary digital spaces can become gateways for fraudulent beliefs, and exploitation. 

The origins of the film are deeply local. Among the key voices that helped inspire the project is Nevada City Police Chief and Board Chairman for Olive Charitable Organization, Dan Foss, whose insight, compassion, and long-standing concern for vulnerable young people brought the subject into sharper focus. Foss also founded O.L.I.V.E.

“People will see survivor stories from Madera people,” Molina said. “They will also see a story from a reformed trafficker from Madera. It’s very well done. It’s an hour long with a half-hour question and answer after the documentary.”

Nevada County filmmaker Lou Douros completed the documentary for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. He received a local anonymous grant, and developed the project in connection with community partners, including CASA of Nevada County. 

“Too many people still imagine this kind of harm is something obvious or easy to recognize,” said Douros. “...that trafficking begins with a kidnapping. But most trafficking victims go willingly with someone who presents as attentive, trustworthy, romantic, safe, or even protective. Perfect Strangers helps the audience to see through the imposters who rely on proven strategies to gain trust.” 

“We are trying to reach adults,” Molina said. “There are a lot of things in the film that are web-based. We are trying to show the danger and influence social media has on our children. Our target audience is adults — parents, grandparents, care givers, teachers and anybody who is around children. All of these kids have phones in their hands. We are trying to make adults aware that just because children are in their room with their phones, doesn’t mean they are safe.”

Chief Foss provides first-hand accounts of his struggle to make a difference. The film’s closing call to action directs audiences who may have experienced abuse, manipulation, or exploitation to OLIVE Madera, Foss’s nonprofit organization, which provides safe housing and support for young women and girls seeking to escape prostitution and sexual exploitation. 

“We want to educate the adults on the current online trends that are out there,” Molina said. “Madera is featured in the documentary quite a bit. The guy who did the documentary came to our safe house and interviewed the girls. There are a lot of local ties.”

Molina hopes to fill the theater, which is capped at 175. She and O.L.I.V.E. are also thinking about showing the documentary some time later in the summer.