The National Parents Organization (NPO) took the lead in co-organizing with the National Coalition for Men (NCFM) a gathering to view the release of the thought-provoking new documentary film, “Divorce Corp.” This event took place on January 10, 2014, at the Emery Bay Stadium 10 Theater in Emeryville, California in San Francisco’s Bay Area. A trickle of attendees arriving more than one hour before to the 7pm show time swelled to over forty audience members.
We wholeheartedly agree with the website description of this film www.divorcecorp.com as, “A shocking exposé of the inner workings of the $50 billion a year
U.S. family law industry, Divorce Corp shines a bright light on the appalling waste, and shameless collusive practices seen daily in family courts. It is a stunning documentary film that anyone considering marriage or divorce must see.”
DivorceCorp is excellent but also a bit depressing in its depiction of the current reality and while it originally opened at fifteen theaters nationwide, it is currently showing in only a couple theaters. It deserves broad support for its amazing success at portraying systemic and individual abuses of the divorce process, and, most particularly, the huge waste of resources and destroyed families. The film presents the stark contrast between the American legal system and those of Iceland and Sweden, where the divorce process is free and simple, and typically followed by attempts at reconciliation and co-parenting to minimize overt conflict.
A lengthy panel discussion inviting audience feedback followed the movie.  The panelists were attorney Casey Ann Hatton of WeVorce.com, a collaborative divorce process, and law professor Katherine Porter of the University of California at Irvine Law School.
The rally which came afterwards proved a smashing success, with over thirty people participating. NCFM brochures and wristbands were distributed, the latter which read “Save the Males.” NPO representatives and Bay Area Fathers’ Rights Support Group (BAFRSG) representatives (BAFRSG is an affiliate of NPO) together unfurled and displayed a banner that read “Bay Area Fathers’ Rights”.
The outcome of this successful event is attributed to the diligent organizing efforts of BAFRSG member and NCFM supporter Jeanne Falla and NCFM Public Relations Director member Steven Svoboda. Both are to be congratulated for their excellent teamwork in spearheading what will be a collaborative future working relationship between BAFRSG and NCFM.
Next up in the NCFM and the BAFRSG joint calendar is an NCFM social get-together in Concord, California on Sunday, January 26, followed by a BAFRSG meeting a few blocks away. NCFM members are invited to come to one or both events.  Contact Steven Svoboda at arc@post.harvard.edu or 510-827-5771 for more information.
