New Documentary In Post Production: This Is Where I Learned Not To Sleep
Part quest for justice. Part journey towards healing.
This Is Where I Learned Not To Sleep follows Mark Wynn (left, with his stepfather) and Byron Sanders (right, with his mother), both traumatized by household violence while growing up. Now as adults, they are determined to end the cycles of abuse that haunted them and their mothers. They believe men must be the driving force behind change. Facing deep-rooted resistance, often going back generations, Mark and Byron confront outdated patriarchal systems in law enforcement, family court and even professional sports, challenging other men to stand up and end violence against women. Their courageous stories redefine the culture of masculinity for a new age. Watch trailer here.
Meet Lt. Mark
For 11 years as a child, Lt. Mark hid from both his abusive stepfather and the cops when they showed up at the front door. Then for 21 years as a Nashville Police Officer, he was the cop who showed up. He has made it his mission to change law enforcement for the better.
“I lived with a monster, I know how this works,” he says, “I’ve been on both sides of that door.”
The film follows Mark as he travels the country working to shatter the culture of violence and silence that surrounds crimes against women. He challenges and inspires law enforcement at every level – from the Federal Justice Department to beat cops in local precincts, from rural Oklahoma to Chicago – working from inside to end generations of disregard, mishandling, and internal cover-ups within the system.
Meet Byron Sanders
By age six, Byron was compelled to protect his mother from his father. Now with a young family of his own, Byron helps lead the Dallas HeROs - an unlikely group of over 400 businessmen, law enforcement, religious and community leaders who are committed to ending domestic violence by breaking down traditionally patriarchal systems. They are fathers, brothers, boyfriends, sons, friends and husbands, who demand zero-tolerance of domestic abuse in their community.
The film follows Byron and the HeROs as they are called on by the Dallas County Prosecutors Office to take on gender bias in the courts. On tough cases, the HeROS show up and sit in solidarity behind women survivors in the courtroom. They work on the newly appointed Domestic Violence Task Force for the Dallas Mavericks. They are called on by local shelters to do carpentry to get rooms ready for women and children in crisis. And they mentor young boys through the tough transitions involved in leaving their abusers - who are often their fathers.
The Creative Team:
Directors / Producers Anne de Mare & Kirsten Kelly
The Homestretch (Emmy Award), The Girl with the Rivet Gun, Asparagus! Stalking the American Life, Capturing The Flag, Stranger/Sister Producer Andrew W. Schwertfeger The Homestretch (Emmy Award)
Executive Producer Cindy Waitt
Bully, Private Violence, Audrie & Daisy
Advisors Kit Gruelle & Erin Sorenson
Private Violence
Cinematographers Amy Bench & Nelson Walker
Bench: Running with Beto, A Line Birds Cannot See
Walker: Making a Murderer, In Transit, Summer Pastures
Editor Paul Lovelace
Iris, Birdland, Mr, Chibbs