Review ratings based on computer generated algorythms for GOD AS MY WITNESS documentary

My name is Michael Brandner Sr. I am the executive producer for the internationally award-winning documentary GOD AS MY WITNESS. This documentary is a platform for survivors of child sexual abuse and rape to finally tell their stories. For decades, these victims have been silenced by bankruptcy filings, shame, and fear of retaliation. The survivors in this film are heroes. They will never achieve closure, so they choose to use their personal tragedies to promote public awareness and hopefully prevent children and families from the horror they have had to endure their entire lives.

GOD AS MY WITNESS has received multiple awards at festivals worldwide. The most coveted of the awards, in my opinion, are the audience awards. On several occasions we were told that our Q&A sessions following the showings were unprecedented. Most of the audience stayed and we had to be asked by the staff at every session to shut it down due to the time slot for the following feature, which is understandable.

 With full disclosure I am new to this industry. My brother committed suicide after years of rape and abuse at the hands of a priest.  For 33 years I have pursued this issue. I have met victims at festivals in London, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, and Colorado, Kansas, and New Orleans in the United States. A film festival in Japan awarded us with the best documentary. This pandemic terrifies me. I know that children are being preyed upon. What this documentary reveals is how the bankruptcy loophole in the U.S. is assisting organizations with protecting their predators by allowing the courts to seal their records.   The public is never made aware of the atrocities being committed upon our children. Therefore, it continues to happen.

The ratings on IMDb for GOD AS MY WITNESS plummeted overnight from 9.7 to 2.9 for no apparent reason. After researching IMDb I now know that the reason for the sudden drop is due to the computer-generated decision accusing us of “stuffing” the ballots.

We contracted with FilmHub. Linsay Pitre, the director, was told by FilmHub that reviews would be helpful with promoting the film. Immediately we contacted the festivals and people who attended the showings asking them to submit a review on IMDB.com. The only instruction to audience members was to register with IMDb or their vote would not count. We were not surprised by the number of reviews, but it was amazing how quickly it happened.

I encourage everyone to read the fifty-eight written reviews. They are heartfelt and honest. These are people who watched the movie. If you depend on a computer to analyze human activity without considering the “why” it is not an accurate assessment of the issue.

Please help me to encourage IMDb to correct this mistake. The review rating should remain at 9.7. My primary concern is for the victims in the film who had the courage to tell their stories to the world and to expose the truths hidden from the public by bankruptcy filings. They are now heroes and deserve their stories to be heard. IMDb is unknowingly contributing to silencing these heroes and enabling the Archdiocese of New Orleans coverup.

While AI and computers are efficient, they remove the human element. I attended a discussion on AI in movies at Raindance a couple of years ago. At the time I did not understand exactly how it would affect the industry and the artists. I now understand how IMDb’s method has affected my movie in this way and can affect others. The human element is essential for the art to remain real and film reviews on IMDb to be considered accurate.

Respectfully,

Michael Brandner, Sr.

Executive Producer

GOD AS MY WITNESS