'Bittersweet' Film At Cabot Theater For Child Abuse Prevention Month

BEVERLY, MA — The Cabot Theater will host a screening of the Beverly-based documentary "Bittersweet" as part of the historic theater's Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month Community Conversations programming in April.

The Katie Bourgeois documentary chronicles the building and healing of The Survivor Nest Project that Beverly resident Carla Beatrice coordinated as part of her desire to heal from childhood abuse and provide those who endured similar abuse to come together in a safe community space.

"Bittersweet" follows the cathartic journey of seven survivors through the building of a life-sized nest made out of local vines on the North Shore. Beatrice hosted a 2021 weekend of events at her North Shore property that were photographed and filmed as part of future exhibits — one of which was held at Salem's Old Town Hall last April.

The program is set for April 12 at 7 p.m. and is free to the public. Advance registration is requested here.

Beatrice provides the narration of the documentary, which includes include slow rhythmic use of natural surroundings and sounds present during the project.

Moderator Beth Siegling, a member of the survivor community, will guide the conversation after the screening, inviting a connective experience for survivors and allies.

State Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) will also present a legislative briefing on The Survivor Nest Project on April 11 at the State House.

MassKids and ChildUSAdvocacy, agencies on child sexual abuse prevention, will also be represented at the legislative session set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Nest as well as collages reflecting the survivor experience will also be on display during the legislative briefing on Beacon Hill.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)