Its been a circuitous journey to the top of theNetflixcharts for the documentaryTell Them You Love Me.
Theroux remembers thinking after all the rejections.
August-Perna recalls, It was painful, it was annoying.
Anna Stubblefield, convicted in a sexual assault case detailed in ‘Tell Them You Love Me’Netflix/Jonno Rattman for The New York Times
I think we all felt that wed made something really special.
He was a really fast learner, she says in the film.
Then, things took a strange turn.
Derrick “D.J.” Johnson (left) with his brother John.Netflix
Stubblefield told Derricks family that her student had tapped out words revealing he loved her.
The feeling was mutual.
I am in love with him, she told Derricks devoted mom Daisy and equally devoted older brother John.
Whats more, Anna revealed she and D.J.
had consummated their relationship, once on the floor of Daisys house.
Derricks mother and brother soon reported the conduct to police.
Stubblefield was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault.
At trial, the judge disallowed expert testimony about Facilitated Communication.
The professor was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Anna pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and served two years behind bars before being released.
So why wouldnt leading film festivals touch it?
The filmmakers point to the last in that string of nouns disability.
And I think thats awkward… And absolutely it carries an extraordinary electric charge, as it turns out, for the audiences.
The festival rejections didnt come without comment, August-Perna notes.
August-Perna adds, It just all seemed odd.
Something seemed not right about it.
We always knew we wanted it to have a big U.S. release, Fellows says.
People wanted to discuss it on social media.
Craziest shit Ive seen all year, said The Flyest Nobody.
Holy shit, Tell Them You Love Me is one of the most disturbing things Ive seen.
Festivals say no, fans say yes.
And Im basing that on the success ofMy Scientology Movie, mainly.
And now the success ofTell Them You Love Me.
And I think thats very much where this film fits.
