“The Tale”: Astonishing New Movie Tackles Filmmaker Jennifer Fox’s Reckoning with Child Sexual Abuse

[@16watch]

It’s amazing how the brain can shield you from the trauma. My flashbacks happened in my fifties coming after a serious depression and electric shock treatments. So many questions have now been answered in my life. Thank you for your film.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

Get over it. Live Free and happy

[@eldaremington341]

Good grief

[@eldaremington341]

Not helpful and downright mean. What are you sandbagging?

[@skyejacques]

It's called soul fragmentation in shamanism. The soul fragments and goes into the underworld so that the rest of the human can live and survive. Otherwise I think we would go insane with the pain and trauma 😢 it's particular for sexual abuse because sexual energy is so precious and sacred 😢 I hope you can access EMDR therapy and psyilocibin therapy as well. Both are transformational on the soul and mind and body and nervous system 💕

[@laumarlopez8417]

I hope you are doing well. I didn’t know how they are doing electric shock as therapy today?

[@_-lydia-_8175]

The way this was filmed felt like the way I realised what happened to me when I was a child, This and 'speak' are the most realistic representations I have seen so far, and both films have helped me.

[@doreenm8693]

The story is told through the perspective of an innocent child and her encounter with an abuser. As a child you don't know you're being manipulated into doing adult things.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

When her mom asked "did you like it?" And they explain how when someone is giving you sexual attention you probably in some fashion do enjoy it but that's part of the manipulation. Bill was a disgusting sick monster the way he groomed that little girl.

[@monkeyme210]

Thank you for making this video. This movie has helped me with my trauma and put things in perspective and helped me understand my emotions at that time. I’m glad there’s a spotlight on this subject. Victims lives with this their whole lives and they need be to heard and supported.

[@lovely-mk4rt]

I was 35 years old, dropping off to pre-school my 4 year old and 7 months pregnant with my second child. .... a smell, a sound, or a man that looked familiar. I don’t know what it was but , like cold water running down my body. Memories flooded me. It took years for me to understand what was happening but I’m so grateful that the issue of memories/ repression/ child trauma/ and as an adult how to bring some sense to us that were not really believed. Therapy and supportive friends are instrumental in recovering ourselves

[@givemeshelter.]

Proud of you and thanks for sharing. Support systems are very important in one's life and it sounds to me that you have returned the favor in the past in your friendships/relationships. That is why your people surrounded you and came running.

[@doug575]

I wish more men would come out about being sexually abused. It always seem like when u think of someone being sexually abused, society automatically thinks it was a woman/girl who was abused. I'm a male and was sexually abused.

[@mgmassey174]

You're right brother. I'm sorry you are a fellow survivor.. The conversation is often obfuscated by a media that lives by stereotypes. Bless you.Hope you find healing.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

I was sexually abused by an older neighbor kid who was also male and I think some of that is what led me to have bisexual tendencies.

[@reddavis4808]

This was a brutal watch. I can't imagine how a child comes back from this type of abuse.

[@ElisabettaAgostini]

i think this movie is something incredible. Jennifer Fox had such a strengh and a courage that is unbilievable. This is inspiring for all the people. This interview is gold and I'm so glad to have chosen to see this movie and so happy to hear that Jennifer is now happily married. I was thinking as in the movie that she never got married or had kids and I was feeling so sorry that a woman was being privated to experience something so beautiful. I loved and shared this movie

[@Mistywhite35]

I just watched the movie on HBO that aired last night...I applaud Jennifer Fox for sharing something so traumatic that holds a personal experience that is difficult to talk about. It was beautifully done and holds so many truths about how we dissect and try to piece together our thoughts on what occurred in our past. I hope both adults that caused this abuse were brought into justice. Thank you for sharing your memoirs and hopefully others can re-piece their past hurts and bring justice to others who may have been im similar situations.

[@moto2kx2]

How the heck can it be spoken about this as a "relationship, affair, etc?! It was evil. Precociousness is not an excuse for an adult to manipulate that for their own evils.

[@haroldwhite5761]

No of course not, but she was speaking about it that way to explain how the child interpreted what was going on. It's all part of the predator's grooming. I speak from personal experience.

[@chokinonashes61]

Harold White Exactly! I am sorry for what you had to go through, it has happened to so many of us.

[@moto2kx2]

I get that. Then She could always include "the way I reasoned/felt/was groomed/manipulated" to believe whenever She makes those statements . There are kids that are going to watch this/segments of it/etc that they just as She may not fully comprehend how that "process" functions/is manipulated. Kids need very clear facts accompanied by reason if you want them to learn and understand it fully.

[@haroldwhite5761]

Part 2 of the interview at democracynow.org explains it slightly better.

[@moto2kx2]

She explained it once here too. There are too many times where she uses those terms and does not accompany them with the reality of the situation. I even think Goodman pulled that out of her... She should be considerate of kids watching this is all just as they made all consideration at the filming to protect the girl actress. She made her point of how a young child can view the manipulated "relationship" as a real relationship that she made a conscious decision to be in and how as an adult still view/speak it incorrectly that leads people to question the mind/sexual abuse. But to continually use those terms is not healthy...

[@pavlovsworld9122]

What a great piece. Very nuanced and sophisticated conversation. I learned so much from this strong woman.

[@DonZusyaGoodman]

B'H I respectfully disagree with her choice not to reveal her aggressor. He needs to make amends and other abusers or aggressors will hopefully come forth and try to come to terms with the evil they committed.

[@IconicCutz]

Don Zusya Goodman who did it doesn't matter, this story is for us to understand those who does decide to accuse 20 & 30 years later.

[@DonZusyaGoodman]

IconicCutz I will respectfully agree to disagree with you. Perpetrators of such crimes are indirectly encouraged to continue in such disfunctional behavior when they don't come to grips with consequences stemming from such actions.

[@mgmassey174]

@@DonZusyaGoodman I agree with both of you. For reasons which would take too long to explain. This film explains why we bury our trauma and don't come forward

[@viery3654]

What a beautiful woman/human being.

[@sempiternallila2715]

Yes, everyone handles trauma differently, but there are also varying degrees of trauma. Some kids don't handle the sexual abuse trauma well because of the hellish degree it can be for some. All trauma should be validated, but assumptions on how an individual handles their trauma is a touchy subject.

[@mgmassey174]

Yes we all process trauma differently

[@Pandabearmadness]

I can't think of a movie that even comes close to trying convey sexual abuse through the eyes of the victim like this. From the grooming and Manipulation that movie showed, and how even into adulthood the victim was conflicted to what really happend to her. The movie was pretty graphic and made the grooming scenes very hard for me to watch because it was making me furious. My heart goes out the countless victims of child molesters no kid should have to go through this. Growing up i had mentors who were similar to characters in the movie but they actually cared about me and didn't abuse me. I feel very fortune

[@secretagent0280]

16:40 I like her as a person, from what I've seen, but she doesn't seem to understand the nuances and variability of the subject of child sexual victimization. Not all child-molesters are adults or even Pedophiles.

[@blondeee]

I remember when i was assaulted and at first i thought that it was good, so I told my friends how it was great. But the morning i woke up i couln't eat, i felt dizzy, i wanted to puke al the time. Then my friend told me it was abuse and i couldn't believe. My mind told me different story. I felt it was wrong, but he manipulated me, telling me that i want that and i froze.

[@nilsaran8561]

I have just watched the movie,it was really striking... So sorry for the actual person who directed this movie to make parents aware of her own bitter life story as a child at 13. 😫 also i have realised that pedophilists are just seen outside as normal and ordinary ppl who have wifes and even children. May God and smart parents protect all children.🙏🏻😞

[@bookbeing]

A supportive family is such a benefit in the healing, when one has been through something awful.

[@AtheistEve]

16:14 Language matters. Even though Jennifer Fox has a definition of rape or sexual abuse that she prefers, in law what happened would be considered statutory rape, grooming and sexual abuse. So, it’s still appropriate to call this a tale about rape _and_ sexual abuse.

[@veronicat4517]

JE Hoyes yeah, she was groomed and not forced, therefore, it's child abuse in her head.

[@AtheistEve]

Veronica T Of course it was child abuse.

[@1974Coconut]

she's just protecting herself of becoming traumatized even more. Somehow she thinks denying is better. I think she must be very fragile still.

[@patrickcabell4373]

I respect where these comments are coming from, but I think it's important to understand the force of her point, that 'language matters' for survivors determining their own narratives. This is a rare interview for DN!, there's a lot of emotional density, and it demonstrates how uncomfortable our society is with the complexity of these issues. Hence their public invisibility despite high frequency. Fox is defending that due to the nature of trauma, each person must go about processing it in a particular way. Corporate-led activism sought to hijack MeToo and promote a one size fit all solution. I find her push back against being used like that courageous.

[@melissaashley9638]

This movie is so striking. The depth that Jennifer Fox was able to go in showing the thought process and realization represented is so disturbing.

[@Kyrmana]

Can you see how muted and suppressed her facial expression is? She has been through a lot

[@sOnlight67]

She couldn't remember herself. I can't either... now it is getting worse, I can't remember a lot, even from a few years or months ago. I really NEED to see this movie!

[@1323545624]

Very interesting, democracy now is really good

[@MikeMorash]

Nice job on this! Awesome to see others doing what they love.

[@MR-tn5kv]

Wow, truth : in all its power and complexity. Wonderful to be hearing and seeing more of it...

[@deeone5326]

Thank you!

[@orlandobabe]

They would say that if the woman didn’t suffer from self abuse, self destruction or became a promiscuous woman after being sexually abused as a child then she wasn’t a victim. They are dead wrong, it is sexual abuse and no child should be in such a relationship with a grown man

[@krishnayedage8130]

Thanks for the interview

[@nahheyheyhoorayjames7290]

G.morning folks. Emmy GOODMAN:The power of women's rights.

[@whylogicalthinking]

Nah!!Hey!HEY,hooray! James amy....

[@0theredqueen0]

This is a great interview.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

I agree. I just watched the film on HBO Max and it was difficult yet brilliant and seeing her in this interview makes me feel better (as someone who was taken advantage of sexually in my youth).

[@dugongsdoitbetter]

This is her therapy, her art. Your opinions mean nothing.

[@haroldwhite5761]

Please people if you thought this clip was good please watch part 2. Something similar but worse, happened to me and in part 2 Jennifer explains things so incredibly well, in a way I wish I had been able to. I wish DN had posted part 2 on YT so more people could see it. To watch, you have to go to www.democracynow.org/2018/5/24/as_weinstein_set_to_head_to

[@chokinonashes61]

Harold White Thank you, I will watch it.

[@Triciatly]

Thank you for sharing this link. This is a really powerful and important interview ❤️

[@AtheistEve]

Harold White DN should post it here.

[@thekingslady1]

Harold White thanks for posting this. The part 2 is actually on the YT channel as well. a 46 min video.

[@paultremblay4836]

Good movie, I will certainly see it

[@ellisonpearson3387]

‘I have only been telling myself half of the story….’ Her comments here and how long and how deep her own intellectual path are so important for survivors and will helpfully inform all facets of society. This does not need to be sexual abuse -abuse of power is the matter at hand.

[@secretagent0280]

18:50 It was largely because she was searching for the woman to help her out of it but realized she was just another pervert.

[@eakherenow]

Jennifer insists on the reality of the negotiations that go on in a situation of this kind.It is complicated and the child does find something of value even when she is too young to understand that the adult is not an appropriate partner.

[@alejastoic]

The "consent" of an underaged girl is and should be treated as an automatic NO, if an underaged girl is "consenting" a sexual act, she is not consenting, she is being groomed, manipulated and abused. I completely can see why she never thought of it as abused until she was 45. But yes, she was grommed and abuse for people that should have paid for that. Instead they went on to have great lives without any consequences.

[@dstir66]

Powerful movie..heavy heavy material

[@secretagent0280]

She slips and lets what is probably closer to the real name of the woman when she states "Mrs. B" and not "Mrs. G".

[@racheljersey8247]

What an amazing movie... wow... 🙏❤️

[@babycakes2077]

Derns rad and has always been standup women in Hollywood!

[@fleadoggreen9062]

I had no idea this movie would go soo far, but it needs to be done , maybe it’ll help a young person out there, that being said the way it ended kinda sucked

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

If you have kids be up front with them. It doesn't have to be awkward. My girlfriend's son is 10 and our silly puppy isn't fixed yet and he tries to hump the boy's leg sometimes and we laugh about it but I said "it's funny when he does it but if a person ever tried to do ANYTHING weird like that you need to tell your mom or dad or me or your grandparents and not to get them in trouble but just so we can make sure you're ok."

[@lorageproductions]

Its important to name the person because they never just have one victim. Why not name him

[@1974Coconut]

even if I feel sympathy for you Jennifer, I was so disappointed at you when you made excuses why not to out the pedophile, or sue him. The problem with that is , you don't know how many other child victims he has.Or still will have in future. A typical pedophile can have as many as 300 child victims throughout his life, some 500. You allow him to continue when you could make it stop.Tell his name, so other parents know to avoid his company with children. I think this is wrong not to expose his name!

[@ratulamorie5255]

This is her story and she should be able to decide the pace with which to unveil the details. She doesn’t need people guilting her about not outing him. Maybe she’s afraid. Who knows.

[@Pilar45]

Excellent true history

[@pragjyotishbhuyangogoi8363]

That is a beautifully directed movie.

[@eldaremington341]

Convenient to shorten the interview. I can assure you that many women will remember sexual abuse and speak out.

[@zokotuckikazu3239]

Your parents failed you. I’d never let me child go out with an adult who wasn’t related them.

[@konradpanduram4576]

You do realize that more then 80% of child abuse happens through relatives?

[@emamadra3472]

even with closeESTrelative

[@TheYoli182]

zokotu ckikazu I know but this was the 70s and people back then was trusting, many people back then slept with their doors open.

[@Mondo1Bongo]

Unfortunately!!! This kind of madness can also be a family member, no adult should be overly interested in.... a child, your child... boys or girls.... don’t trust anything... these slippery crawlers, hide in plain sight.

[@BrazyBlazer]

Powerful film 8.5/10

[@anotherworldviewispossible]

Is there a reason that the lead character was cast as a "blonde" in the film? The director appears to have dark hair. Was there any significance to that choice?

[@sandrafowke]

maybe it helps her seperate herself from the work. Writing about it as if it’s happening to someone else might make it easier.

[@anotherworldviewispossible]

Sandra Fowke + I hope so... but the blonde archetype in American culture - I suspect that it may be a manipulation of the audience' sentiments. Like if she were black - but had cast the role as white... because of the unconcious responses of the audience... That was my thought. There's a reason that Jon Benet Ramsey, is still on the cover of the National Enquirer - and no one can find or remember any number of little black girls that have disappeared into the Foster Care system in places like Florida... as sad a testimony as that is, about our society...

[@desertfarmcompany7408]

They probably cast the adult best actress for the job...then had to match the child to the actress

[@anotherworldviewispossible]

@@desertfarmcompany7408 They could dye the hair of the actresses.

[@greggasiorowski4025]

Lifetime Now!

[@whylogicalthinking]

They could have picked an actual actress and not one it incapable of emoteing just seems like she's going through the motions and much like Kristen Stewart has the same f****** face for every emotion and it's just so transparent that she's acting not believable....

[@desertfarmcompany7408]

The main actress was amazing..she played a person that is confused perfectly

[@lizzey7844]

The ME TOO movement embracing a movie that makes pedophilia between a grown male/female girl sexual abuse seem normal. It promotes sexual abuse of a child as a natural way for a girtl to be deflowered by a kind and gentle male/daddy figure. It encourages child/adult sexual lovl. It also ecourages adult female/child female lesbisn love. Perhaps it is the ME TOO PEDOPHILIA /LESBIAN movement? The movie doesn't work for me on many levels. I had an affair with a man 20 years older than me when I was 16. The mother character was not believable to me...when she was a girl her mother was oblivious to her world, letting her sleep away all the time, never reading her stories, yet when older her mother is all about caring about this? I believe the mother finding her letters when she is an adult and caring so much was a fictionalized plot written in to the movie. Did she really leave this story and letters hanging around the mothers house into her adult years? I doubt it. And did the grandmother really see her being tongue kissed by an adult male and say nothing? I DOUBT IT! All this didn't ring true to me. My mother read everything I wrote in my diary when I was a girl behind my back and found out about my affairr, and she stopped it. Her mother obviously wasn't that kind of mother when she was a child and probably wasn't when she was an adult but they had to write in this mother/daughter plot for the movie to have "some meat." Also was the sexual Mrs G plot written in to the script as well? Probably she existed but to the sexual abusive level in movie? I doubt it. No one took sex offenders to court because it was just swept under the covers, so he went on with his life. I too proclaimed my love for my abuser. The father/daughter issues were never touched on. Believe me, that is the crux of the issue and why young girls are drawn to this kind of relationship. So the movie did not feel genuine to me in some ways. But I appreciate it in others. But we need to realistically address the real true issues girls have with their dad's that cause predators to find girl prey, and this movie ignored all this. Parents read all on the internet your kids do....that is the moral of this story.

[@desertfarmcompany7408]

I think you missed mostly all the points of this movie. Also a 16 yr old with a 36 yr old is still a troublesome interaction.

[@lukelee3]

She named him, ted nash. But she waited until he died in 2021. Lame. 🙄