"Stealing Trust," our powerful documentary film about the devastating impact of financial fraud on individuals and families across Maryland, has won great responses at a series of screenings across Central Maryland since its Baltimore premiere in May. On Dec. 3,
more than 100 advocates and concerned citizens packed the
AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring to see the film.
We will be scheduling further film screenings this Winter and Spring. Please watch for word about a screening near you. If you or your organization would like to host a screening or a houseparty, please contact Franz@marylandconsumers.org
Documenting the human impact of financial fraud
"Stealing Trust" channels the eloquent voices of hardworking Marylanders who have lost their homes, their savings, and even their capacity to trust others to abusive debt settlement firms, mortgage lenders, and unscrupulous home contractors. The film offers a revealing, and very relevant, look at the kind of predatory financial practices that did so much to cause our current economic crisis and at the devastating toll they have taken on families across Maryland.
You can see the introduction to the film and some of the stories the consumers featured in the film have to tell on MCRC's
Youtube channel.
You can also hear MCRC Executive Director Marceline White and several of the consumers featured in the film explain the project and tell their stories by listening to the
podcast of the Marc Steiner Show on WEAA-FM that was devoted to the film on June 13, 2011.
Rave Reviews for "Stealing Trust"
"Stealing Trust" has received plaudits from the press and the public at screenings across Central Maryland. The
Baltimore Sun praised the "bold clarity" of our "crusading documentary." Baltimore's
City Paper made our May premiere a featured calendar choice. Here's what some activists and critics are saying about the film:
"MCRC's 'Stealing Trust' is a must-see. More than any other similar effort, it brings to light the predatory practices that real consumers face each and every day:
Philip Robinson, Executive Director, Civil Justice Inc.
"The stories of scam victims so vividly portrayed in 'Stealing Trust' remind us that consumer advocates do important work that affects the lives of real people"
Steve Sakamoto-Wengel, chief of the Consumer Protection Division, Maryland Attorney General's Office.
"The film is a call to consumer activism -- and government attention."
Michael Sragow, Baltimore Sun
Press coverage of "Stealing Trust"
Consumer rights group offers fee showing of Md. foreclosure documentary
Baltimore Business Journal, 1/30/2012
'Stealing Trust' screening event in Baltimore
Baltimore Sun, 1/26/2012
Video Exposes Tactics of Fraud Perpetrated against Seniors
AARP Bulletin, 12/1/2011
Documentary screening in Oxon Hill planned to help prevent financial fraud
Prince George's County Gazzette, 10/6/2011
State, Local Officials to Host Film Screening in Oxon Hill
Upper Marlboro Patch, 10/5/2011
Financial fraud documentary premiers at local church
Maryland Independent, 10/5/2011
HCC to Host Film Screening on Financial Fraud in Maryland
Columbia Patch, 10/2/2011
Ten Ways Consumers Can Protect Themselves from Financial Predators
Silver Spring Patch, 8/2/2011
Residents react to Screening of Film Addressing Maryland Financial Predators
Silver Spring Patch, 7/27/2011
Elizabeth Warren Comes to Baltimore
Daily Record Legal Affairs blog, 6/29/2011
Hair-Raising 'Stealing Trust' at Pratt Tomorrow
Baltimore Sun, 6/13/2011
At Creative Alliance Tonight: 'Stealing Trust' Exposes Predatory Finance
Baltimore Sun 5/4/2011
'Stealing Trust' documentary screens next week
Baltimore Sun, 4/29/2011
City Paper, 4/27/2011
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The film was produced and directed by John Spillane for the Megaphone Project (www.megaphoneproject.org).
Length: 40 minutes.
Copyright: Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, 2011.