If HBO's Scientology documentary “Going Clear” is any indication, the American public is hungry for damning exposés on the Hollywood establishment. Enter “An Open Secret,” a new documentary by Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg (“Deliver Us from Evil,” “West of Memphis”) that shines a light on the sexual exploitation of young boys in the entertainment industry.
The film features interviews with such former child stars as Corey Feldman and Todd Bridges as well as Michael Egan III, the man who accused “X-Men” director Bryan Singer and several other high-ranking Hollywood figures of drugging and raping him when he was a teenager in the late 1990s (Egan's lawsuits were later dropped due to inconsistencies in his story).
Coinciding with the trailer's release, the film's producers — clearly anticipating that Egan's recent conviction for fraud and the withdrawal of his numerous lawsuits could potentially damage the film's credibility — have released a statement supporting his involvement while simultaneously distancing the film from the subsequent lawsuits he filed against Singer, Broadway producer Gary Goddard, TV executive Garth Ancier and others:
“After the recent announcement of the film”s release, there was talk in some quarters of the media questioning the appearance of Michael Egan in the film in light of his subsequent lawsuit, which was both filed and later withdrawn after he filmed his scenes for An Open Secret. The producers vociferously defend Egan”s participation in the film while clarifying its scope.”
Continued producer Gabe Hoffman: “Michael Egan”s participation in An Open Secret is limited to descriptions of the sexual abuse he suffered at the DEN mansion at the hands of Marc Collins-Rector and the aftermath wrought upon their lives and their families. In the film, Egan does not discuss any of the allegations made in the lawsuits filed on his behalf in 2014. Those lawsuits, subsequently withdrawn, were filed well after, and completely independently from, his participation in An Open Secret. Clearly, Egan has experienced great difficulties in his life following the sexual abuse he suffered while a teenager at DEN. We applaud Mike”s courage to appear in the film and decry any efforts to use these unrelated difficulties to undermine the film”s credibility and deflect from the issue of child sexual abuse in Hollywood portrayed in the film.”
Berg's 2006 documentary “Deliver Us from Evil,” which centered on the crimes of pedophilic Catholic priest Oliver O'Grady, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2007.
“An Open Secret” is slated to screen at Cannes later this month and will hit limited theaters in June. Watch the trailer below.