Experiencing Interruptions?

Torn Apart: The Hearts That Never Heal

Torn Apart: The Hearts That Never Heal is a powerful documentary exploring the deeply personal and often heartbreaking stories of families who have lost custody of their children to Child Protective Services (CPS). Through an intimate lens, the documentary not only reveals the struggles and pain of parents grappling with the abrupt and often permanent separation from their children, but it also provides a rare look into the complex, sometimes controversial decisions made by CPS and the broader child welfare system.

  • Carter Mangan Jr.
    Director
  • Carter Mangan Jr
    Producer
  • Tiffany J. Fenton
    Producer
  • Joyce McMillan
    Key Cast
  • Vanessa Blake
    Cinematographer
  • Amira Holiday
    Cinematographer
  • Akelae Spring
    Cinematographer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Carter Mangan Jr.

Carter "Roc" Mangan Jr. is a music producer, musician and sound engineer from Newark, New Jersey. His company (Off The Rock), creates original content for film, television, artists and other media. His company has music in television series & films across many networks including CBS, FOX, Showtime, HBO, MTV, VH1, E!, Oxygen, BET, Bravo, The Travel Channel, OWN, Telemundo, Hulu, Revolt TV and Netflix. Roc also does music and production work with many musicians, recording artists, voice-over artists, content creators and filmmakers across many genres, countries and media platforms.

Roc has garnered awards for “Best Soundtrack” in the New York International Film Awards for the documentary “Gone Too Soon: The Life, Legacy & Loss of Newark's Cultural Icons”, and has also produced the music for “Welcome To Newark”, a tourism promotional video featuring Newark based artists, musicians and poetry from Newark’s Mayor Ras J. Baraka, which won an award for “Excellence in Marketing” at The New Jersey Tourism Industry Association and Bronze in the category of “Best Music & Sound craft” for The One Club for Creativity, a leading force in the advertisement community.

Roc has most recently collaborated with Audible in composing the soundtrack for a 28 foot tall monument in dedication to Harriet Tubman, designed by architect Nina Cooke John. The monument, titled "Shadow of a Face", is the centerpiece of a community gathering space in Newark’s recently renamed Harriet Tubman Square. Audible has produced a permanent audio installation at the monument, featuring narration performed by Newark native Queen Latifah and a talented cast, about Harriet Tubman’s life, the Underground Railroad in Newark and the freedom and liberation of Black communities.

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Director Statement

Roc has been teaching programs for over 10 years. Partnering with organizations such as New Jersey's Essex County College, Union County College, Rutgers University, The Juvenile Justice Commission, Mentor Newark and Reelworks in Brooklyn, New York. Our programs have helped countless students break through social and psychological barriers and transform their lives through the magic of music and production. We also produce music and arts events throughout the city of Newark, NJ and provide artists opportunities to perform live. Many of these events are open to the general public and help in lifting the spirits of our local community.