Attiya Khan and Lawrence Jackman
A better man
Part of
A better man

A better man

Attiya Khan and Lawrence Jackman

2017
79 min.
Canada
English
Subtitles: Catalan and Spanish

On a hot summer night 22 years ago, 18-year-old Attiya Khan ran through the streets, frightened for her life.

Datasheet

Show
Direction
Attiya Khan and Lawrence Jackman
Executive Production
Sarah Polley, Janice Dawe, Kathy Avrich-Johnson, Anita Lee, Jane Jankovic
Distribution
DocsBarcelona Distribution
Production
Christine Kleckner, Justine Pimlott
Synopsis

On a hot summer night 22 years ago, 18-year-old Attiya Khan ran through the streets, frightened for her life. She was fleeing her ex-boyfriend Steve, who’d been abusing her on a daily basis.

Now, all these years later, Attiya has asked Steve to meet. She wants to know how he remembers their relationship and if he is willing to take responsibility for his violent actions.

This emotionally raw first meeting, filmed by Attiya with Steve’s consent, is the starting point for A Better Man . The rough footage also marks a new beginning in Attiya’s own recovery process—as well as an important starting point for Steve. For the first time ever, he speaks of the abuse and cracks opens the door to dealing with the past.

Illuminating a new paradigm for domestic-violence prevention, A Better Man offers a fresh and nuanced look at the healing and revelation that can happen for everyone involved when men take responsibility for their abuse. It also empowers audience members to play new roles in challenging domestic violence, whether it’s in their own relationships or as part of a broader movement for social change.

About the direction
Attiya Khan

Attiya Khan

Director

Attiya is a Toronto-based feminist, intimate partner violence survivor, and long-time advocate and c...

Lawrence Jackman

Lawrence Jackman

Filmmaker

Lawarence is a Toronto-based filmmaker. Over the past 15 years, he has worked on many award-winning...

Awards and festivals

Top 20 Audience Award, Hot Docs
Canada, 2017
DOC NYC
United States, 2017
San Diego Asian Film Festival
United States, 2017
Attiya Khan and Lawrence Jackman
A better man
Watch the trailer
{{ alt }}
{{ alt }}
{{ alt }}
{{ alt }}
{{ alt }}
Reviews

It's a beautiful film that dives into deep waters, although several questions remain unanswered.

— Zosia Bielski · Globe and Mail

It's not a perfect film by any means but it explores a painful subject intelligently and respectfully.

— Bruce DeMara · Toronto Star

A Better Man deals with a hot-button issue in sensitive fashion.

— Frank Scheck · Hollywood Reporter
Related movies
Nuno Escudeiro
The Valley
Urša Kastelic and Shannet Clemmings
Remember, broken crayons colour too
Valentina Cicogna and Mattia Colombo
Pure Unknown
Meena Nanji and Zippy Kimundu
Our Land, Our Freedom
Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó
Agent of Happiness
Rosine Mbakam
Mambar Pierrette
Lydie Wisshaupt-Claudel
Leading Lights
Ana Sofia Fonseca
Cesária Évora
Leena Kilpeläinen
Maija Isola. Master of Colour and Form