Documentary Spreads Message of Hope

A paperback book written three years ago to encourage incarcerated and abused youth is bringing hope to a much larger audience these days.

"The Victor Marx Story," based on the life of the 46-year-old Murrieta resident, was shown during a benefit event Tuesday in Murrieta. The free private screening was sponsored by eMedia Insiders and Tentmakers in an effort to bring awareness to child abuse and raise money for Rancho Damacitas, a local group home for troubled youth.

The movie, which sold out four private showings at Temecula’s Edward Cinemas, is a documentary about how Marx overcame a childhood of severe abuse and neglect.

"One of the best things any one has ever said about the book or the movie is 'this man’s life defines hope.' That is a strong statement," said Marx, in a phone interview Wednesday with Patch.

When Marx wrote the book, he said it was for the express purpose of giving it to kids who were hurting, locked up or abused.

"Because that is my story; I come from a background of severe abuse," said Marx, who travels the country as an inspirational speaker in between running Cajun Karate, a Martial Arts studio in Historic Downtown Murrieta, and a nonprofit organization, All Things Possible Ministries.

"Since then we have been able to give away close to 30,000 copies. We were surprised that some adults were loving it, so then we made a hardback."

The documentary followed.

"It is an independent film that really has exploded. We are blown away," Marx said. "We are doing screenings all across the country."

The film gives a glimpse of his childhood and goes on to show his ultimate reconciliation with previous abusers.

"My father was a pimp who didn't claim me as a kid, I had a stepfather who abused me in horrible, horrible ways, my grandfather died in a mental hospital and the other shot himself," Marx said.

Back home in southwest Riverside County, word is also spreading about the film.

Christine Chappell, co-owner of Murrieta-based eMedia Insiders, said she learned through Marx's website that he was available for private screenings.

“We didn’t have the opportunity to attend the original film premier because all of the tickets were sold out,” Chappell said. "...We instantly knew we wanted to host an event, and after we got our friends at Tentmakers involved, it took on a life of its own.”

About 60 men, women and children attended came out to Tuesday's screening, Chappell said.

“I am 100 percent confident that the people who needed to be there were in fact there on Tuesday night. It wasn’t an accident that those people showed up, and we hope that in some small way, we were able to help them face their fears or regrets and realize they have hope.” Chappell said.

Marx spoke to the crowd about his life journey and took questions from the audience, she said. He offered to donate all the evening's proceeds from book and DVD sales to Rancho Damacitas, she said.

"Our deal is not about the money, it is about the message," Marx said. "Our organization is nonprofit, and then any sales of our resources just help fund what we do."