It has been said that Gloria was the first African-American woman to sue the Catholic Church. Respect and LOVE is a short experimental documentary, in which the film-maker sits down with her mother 30 years later to gain insight on how those experiences have shaped her mother’s life.

Interview with Writer/Director/Editor Angelique Webster

Watch Respect and Love on Vimeo

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I wanted to make a personal film and tell a solid story. A story that is almost invisible in mainstream media. The story of how an African American family was affected by the Catholic Church Sex Sandel...and survived.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I think the film will give folks a glimpse of what trauma looks like and the long healing process. When one thinks of sexual abuse it's intense and heavy. This is both intense and heavy but it's also a human story of survival. We all deal with trauma and the healing process. This is a story of my family's journey to become whole. It is a story of evolution and how a mother and daughter get to know each other and reimagine their relationship.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

This film shares an intimate piece of my life. I never envisioned that I would share this part of my life with strangers. Sexual abuse isn't something that folks casually talk about at a cocktail party. But I am quite sure at that same cocktail party many folks share similar experiences or know someone close that has. I think the universal and connecting themes are families dealing with trauma and healing.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Initially, I just wanted to use my mother's voice and her vantage point. As I was cutting the film, there was something missing. It was my voice. So I added my voice and presence through text. I think adding my voice was a perfect complement to my mother's story. It's interesting because before I thought about creating this film, I wrote a short script detailing my experience with the abuse. So the text in the film is right off the pages of the original script.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Most folks thank me and talk about how I brave I am to put such an intimate piece of my life for viewing.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback has humbled me and given me the courage to continue walking my path. It feels good that through my sharing I am able to connect with men, women, African Americans, white folks and people of all ages.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I just want to folks see the film and have discussions with your family, friends and children.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

It would be great if educational distributors were interested. I think this film could be a valuable piece in middle schools, high schools and colleges.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I want families to talk about the trauma that sexual abuse has not only on the survivor but also family and friends. Survivors and families need support around the healing process.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Hey did you realize African-American girls and boys are being sexually abuse by Catholic priests?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Right now I am in the development stage of another personal documentary that looks at how storytelling in my family has passed down our family history.

Interview: April 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Respect and LOVE

Length: 15:03

Director: Angelique Webster

Producer: Angelique Webster

Writer: Angelique Webster

About the writer, director and producer:

ANGELIQUE WEBSTER is a filmmaker and educator. She is a graduate of Lincoln University and received her MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Since 2003, Angelique has worked with community members to use media as a tool to share their stories and promote the importance of media literacy. She recently finished her first short film entitled Respect and LOVE. She lives in Worcester, MA with her wife Isabel and three years old daughter Vivian.

Key cast: Gloria Webster

Looking for: distributors, journalists

Facebook: Respect and Love

Made in association with: Vermont College of Fine Arts

Funders: Self-funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? April 5th 2019 Universe Multicultural Film Festival Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA; April 26th 2019 Langston Hughes African-American Film Festival Seattle, WA