Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

The impact of absent dads:

Metallica's James Hetfield is one of many who talks of the impact of life without a father in a new documentary.
By Motherpedia
Date: June 08 2013
Tags: children, dads,
Editor Rating:
james_hetfield

A powerful and moving film about the impact of fathers on children and society screens across Australia starting next week, accompanied by its director Justin Hunt.

The documentary, entitled Absent, is an emotional journey that reveals the impact of fatherlessness while providing hope for a better future for men and women alike. The film draws on the heartfelt stories of Metallica frontman James Hetfield, the late world champion boxer Johnny Tapia, Wild at Heart author John Eldredge, renowned author Richard Rohr, fitness model Robin Decker, prostitutes, vulnerable youth and many more.  
 
“The film shows that fatherlessness and the father wound is a universal problem but, through stories from people such as James Hetfield and others, we begin to create understanding of the issue - and with understanding, you can begin to create change,” said Hunt. 
 
Research shows a strong association between absence of a father and poor academic achievement, low self-esteem, criminal behaviour, delinquency, substance use and abuse, social, sexual and psychological problems, depression, and suicidal behaviour. 
 
“So often it is difficult to know how to turn something around until you know what is at the core of the issue,” said Hunt. 
 
“I am so excited that I will have the chance to be there for the Australian premiere and share this film with people. It’s a great launching pad for talking about how people can heal their hurts and break the cycle of absent fatherhood that has gone unnoticed for far too long and has such a negative impact on individuals and society as whole.” 
 
When Metallica’s James Hetfield poured out his heart and pain in the lyrics of the iconic heavy metal songs he and the band created, he connected with generations of people who carried the legacy of growing up without a father.  
 
“The thing that hurt me most, when I look back at it ... he left without saying goodbye,” says Hetfield in the movie. “He left a note, but it wasn’t even to me.”  
 
Later reflecting on the experience of being involved in the movie and a number of American screenings, Hetfield said: “This movie has done a lot more for me than I thought it would. Justin, the crew, the books, opened my eyes to the male role in the family." 
 
Absent has been shown at 18 festivals in eight countries, winning six awards. 
 
As part of the National Premiere ‘Bring Back Fatherhood’ tour, Absent will screen in capital cities and some regional centres across six states and the ACT from 13-29 June, 2013. 
 
See the tour schedule below, watch the movie trailer, and check out further information here.
  

 
TOUR SCHEDULE
 
Thursday, 13 June 2013 
 3pm Dendy Cinema, Newtown
 0418 225 212 
 
Thursday, 13 June 2013 
 7pm Sydney South
 02 9524 2709 
 
Friday, 14 June 2013 
 6.30pm Event Cinemas, Castle Hill 
 0406 446 899** 
 
Saturday, 15 June 2013 
 1pm Avoca Picture Theatre, Gosford 
 02 4382 1777** 
 
Saturday, 15 June 2013 
 7pm Tahmoor
 0403 202 930 
 
Sunday, 16 June 2013 
 6.30pm Nowra
 02 4421 4602 
 
Monday, 17 June 2013 
 7pm Brisbane South
 07 3801 4211 
 
Tuesday, 18 June 2013 
 7pm Brisbane North
 07 3883 1144 
 
Wednesday, 19 June 2013 
 7pm Toowoomba
 0427 012 126 
 
Thursday, 20 June 2013 
 7pm Townsville
 07 4723 2371 
 
Friday, 21 June 2013 
 7pm Cairns
 07 4055 1337 
 
Sunday, 23 June 2013 
 6pm Wollongong
 02 42 299 744 
 
Monday, 24 June 2013 
 7pm Melbourne South
 03 8551 6600 
 
Tuesday, 25 June 2013 
 7pm Melbourne Central
 0481 288 551 
 
Tuesday, 25 June 2013 
 7pm East Gosford, NSW* 
 (02) 4321 6400 
 
Wednesday, 26 June 2013 
 7pm Canberra
 0425 905 883 
 
Thursday, 27 June 2013 
 7pm Hobart 
 0418 123 338 
 
Friday, 28 June 2013 
 7pm Adelaide
 08 8263 2344 
 
Saturday, 29 June 2013 
 1pm Perth
 0449 001 505 
 
Saturday, 29 June 2013 
 7pm Nth Perth
 0406 856 459 
 
 
*Justin Hunt not attending screening  ** Paid entry screenings 
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