Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Rod Lott, Phil Bacharach

Raw Deal: A Question of Consent
2001

In 1999, controversy raged at the University of Florida when stripper Lisa Gier King claimed to have been raped at a Delta Chi frat party. Flames were fanned further when the police botched the investigation and the state declined to press charges against the boys, instead arresting King for filing a false report.

However, that night’s events were videotaped, and what you see will sicken you, and convince you that — even though she shouldn’t have been there, shouldn’t have drank so much, shouldn’t have teased and goaded — King was raped.

She comes off as credible. Not so for frat brother Tony Marzullo, whose story sometimes is contradicted by the tape, and whose arrogance is astounding; he’d make a great politician. The alleged rapist, Michael Yarhaus — who embodies every negative frat stereotype — declined to be interviewed, but is as chilling a villain as the screen has even seen.

Director Billy Corben’s film is a brave example of documentary journalism, telling both sides of the story in admittedly explicit, disturbing detail. It’s an incendiary, infuriating work.

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