‘H A Z E’ is a sobering, realistic portrait of what goes on behind fraternity house walls.
Burkman lifts the curtain on fraternity hazing culture designed to instill loyalty while being secretive and emotionally, physically, and morally challenging.
Based on the experiences of Burkman and others, the film draws similarities to Cal Poly freshman Carson Starky’s alcohol related death in 2008 during a fraternity hazing party.
Burkman also consulted with Doug Fierberg, one of the few attorneys in the United States who specializes in representing hazing victim and their families, to gain a wider perspective on the countless tragedies that have occurred nationwide as a result of fraternity hazing activities.
“By watching the film, the audience can identify with the experience, the emotional ride,” Burkman tells The Tribune of San Luis Obispo, “The byproduct is to educate and help build awareness.”
HAZE has been entered into eight film festivals and won “Best Film” at three of the four events where it has been screened thus far, including DC Independent Film Festival, Soma Film Festival, and Sidewalk Film Festival.
The film is set to be screened at the SLO film festival on March 30th and April 1st.
