Oct. 8th, 2024 – This past week, we hosted an exclusive screening of Screams Before Silence, a 60-minute documentary film directed by Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta and founder of LeanIn.org. The event spotlighted never-before-heard eyewitness accounts from the October 7 attacks on Israeli towns and the Nova Music Festival. Survivors, released hostages, and first responders shared harrowing testimonies of the atrocities they witnessed, offering an unflinching look at the violence that unfolded.
The film focused on the brutal treatment and sexual assault of women and girls, during the attacks. Despite the overwhelming evidence, these events have been met with limited scrutiny from international human rights organizations. Many political and media figures have downplayed or outright denied the occurrence of these crimes, further compounding the trauma for survivors.
Screams Before Silence aimed to confront these narratives by giving voice to the survivors and victims. In addition to eyewitness accounts, the documentary included insights from medical and forensic experts to underscore the gravity of the situation. Before the screening, a panel discussion featuring survivors of the attacks offered a deeply moving introduction to the film, allowing the audience to hear directly from those who experienced the horrors firsthand.
The event sparked meaningful conversations and provided attendees with an opportunity to reflect on the importance of bearing witness to these atrocities. Bedford Playhouse is proud to have served as a platform for such a critical and impactful documentary, continuing its commitment to presenting thought-provoking cultural programming that resonates with the community.