“Foster Boy” a benefit for “Families Helping Families”

[rating=5] Two weeks ago, on my radio show, Around The Town Chicago, I interviewed  Jay Paul Deratany. He wrote a screenplay that was designed to show the American public that we know very little about the Foster Care system. Deratany is an attorney and the film is based on true events for his foster care cases, shedding light on the horrible mistreatment of children that are placed in the “for-profit” foster care system.

Tonight, I was invited to a fund raising private screening of this new film as a fund raiser for Families Helping Families, Chicagoland. based in Gurnee, Illinois and started by a teacher in order to support families and foster children in need and/ or in crisis throughout both Lake and Cook Counties. They are out there to assist in collecting gifts for special occasions so that these kids can have the opportunity to succeed.

In the film that we watched and that should hit the screens very soon, we learn a great deal about the “for-profit” foster care firms. Our hero, Jamal ( played by Shane Paul McGhie to perfection) is attempting to sue the company that placed him in home after home after home, where he was abused, raped and damaged. He has no money, but is in a courtroom waiting to be heard, when the judge ( Louis Gossett, Jr. is sheer perfection in this role) decides that the Los Angeles big-shot attorney, Michael Trainer ( deftly handled by Matthew Modine) should represent this young man. Pro Bono!.

Trainer doesn’t want the case, but due to the insistence of the judge, takes it on, looking to get him a quick settlement. To his surprise, Jamal declines the larger than anticipated number saying he wants the case to be heard. Over his years, he has kept notebooks filled with verses ( as he call them) describing the events that have led us to where we are in this trial. To Trainer, Jamal is just another “thug” who needs to face facts. He can only get so much from the corporate giants. As Micheal learns more about his client and the system, as well as the threats that come from the giant corporation, he begins to see that his client may truly be more than he appears and that maybe, just maybe, this is a case worth delving into.

This is a well done movie with some interesting facts contained within. We also learn as the trailer begins, that the numbers of Foster Children are astronomical and that what happens to them a shame. This is two hours of great story telling that will educate beyond what you might have anticipated. The numbers are staggering and the corporations that do this type of placement, ruthless!

Modine’s character, Trainer, learns that one must never judge by appearance, which is probably what the old saying, “you can’t judge a book by its cover” was meant to mean. In this story, each person learns a little more about the other and the results are stunning. That is all I can ( or will)  say. You will have to see it when it hits the big screen ( or one of the cable companies).

The trailer, allowing a glimpse can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/fosterboyofficial/videos/2611184595592940/

Thanks to Families Helping Families and to Jay Paul Deratany for this explosive film that will open up the eyes and hearts of those who will get to see this in the future.

To learn more about Families Helping Families, visit www.fhfchicagoland.org

Thanks to the Wilmette Theatre ( a charming 110 seat venue) for making this evening possible and a tip of the chef’s hat to Grill House in Northbrook for the tasty appetizers.