In the last several years, following terrific docs like “An Open Secret” “Prophet’s Prey,” and “West Of Memphis,” filmmaker Amy Berg has quickly become one of the premier documentarians in the field of abuse cases and injustices, often centering around stories of female exploitation and abuse. Her latest is HBO’s “Phoenix Rising,” a two-part documentary produced and directed by Amy Berg (“The Case Against Adnan Syed”), follows actress and activist Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”) as she takes her experience as a survivor of domestic violence to pursue justice, heal generational wounds, and reclaim her story.
In the doc, almost a decade after escaping a dangerous relationship with rockstar Marilyn Manson, Wood co-authors and successfully lobbies for passage of The Phoenix Act, legislation that extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence cases in California. Wood courageously uses her own experience to bring visibility to the issue, ultimately, in solidarity with fellow survivors. The doc premiered earlier this year at Sundance, and now a trailer for “Phoenix Rising” has been released by HBO, giving audiences an idea of what to expect from the powerful project.
You might remember that when Evan Rachel Wood first disclosed her experience with an abusive relationship, she stopped short of naming Manson as her abuser. That was until other women came forward sharing similar experiences with the musician, and Wood began supporting those accusations and knowing she could no longer stay silent. The doc is, in part, also about that journey and summoning the courage to go public with her story.
Here is the doc’s logline from HBO:
PHOENIX RISING delves behind familiar headlines and explores the often-misunderstood aspects of domestic abuse, helping to shed light on the many factors that prevent survivors from coming forward with their stories as they deal with years of aftershocks and emotional trauma. At age 18, Wood was pursued by then 37-year-old Brian Warner, known to the world as the rock icon Marilyn Manson. In sway to his status, image, and persuasive personality, she began a relationship with him that spanned over four years. As the relationship progressed, Wood went from a teenager flattered by his attention to a young woman terrified of the man who claimed to love her, and she experienced escalating emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Looking back, she recognized a pattern of grooming and control tactics similar to those experienced by other survivors who told their stories of harrowing experiences at the hands of Warner.
The doc will debut on HBO on back-to-back nights. Part 1, “Phoenix Rising: Don’t Fall,” debuts March 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, and Part 2, “Phoenix Rising: Stand Up,” debuts March 16 at the same time.
The two episodes will also be available to stream on HBO Max beginning Tuesday, March 15. You can watch the latest trailer below.