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This Is What Love in Action Looks Like

This Is What Love in Action Looks Like is a 2011 American documentary film directed by Morgan Jon Fox about a Memphis teenager who was sent to a controversial Christian program after telling his parents that he was gay. The film premiered in 2011, and is distributed by TLA Releasing.

This Is What Love in Action Looks Like
Theatrical release cover
Directed byMorgan Jon Fox
Music byJonsi
Alan Hayes
Glorie
Production
companies
Sawed-Off Collaboratory Productions
Live From Memphis
Distributed byTLA Releasing
Release date
  • June 2011 (2011-06)[1]
Running time
70 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
BudgetUnknown

Synopsis

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In June 2005, a 16-year-old Tennessee boy, Zach Stark, posted a blog entry on his MySpace page, part of which included the following:[2]

Somewhat recently, as many of you know, I told my parents I was gay... Well today, my mother, father, and I had a very long "talk" in my room where they let me know I am to apply for a fundamentalist christian program for gays. They tell me that there is something psychologically wrong with me, and they "raised me wrong." I'm a big screw up to them, who isn't on the path God wants me to be on. So I'm sitting here in tears, joing [sic] the rest of those kids who complain about their parents on blogs - and I can't help it.

Zach's parents were sending him to a controversial ex-gay program called Love In Action in Memphis. After friends of Zach, as well as several Memphis bloggers and activists became aware of his blog, an impassioned, nationwide protest began in support of the teen.[3] As daily protests were staged outside the Love In Action campus, the controversy quickly became international news as the world counted down the days until the teen's release.[4] The program's director, John Smid, believed that being gay was a choice, and that he himself was an ex-gay. The protestors outside, joined by former Love In Action clients, believed that the program was harmful. While Zach was still in the program, his father, Joe Stark, went on the Christian Broadcasting Network defending his decision.[5]

The film covers a six year span, and features in depth interviews with Zach, protestors, former Love In Action clients, as well as the organization's Executive director, John Smid.

Premiere and release

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This Is What Love In Action Looks Like premiered in June 2011 at Frameline, the 35th Annual San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.[6] A hit on the film festival circuit, it won Best Documentary awards at Indie Memphis,[7] and Birmingham Shout. It was also honored with the Derek Oyston CHE Film Award 2012 at the 26th BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.[8] Fox, and Love In Action's former director John Smid appeared on the CNN to promote the film the morning of its release on DVD and Digital platforms.[9]

Soundtrack

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Title Written by Performed by Label
Boy Lilikoi, Tornado (instrumental), Sinking Friendships (instrumental), Around Us (instrumental) Jon Thor Birgisson Jon Thor Birgisson (as Jonsi) XL Recording/Universal Music Publishing
Lazy Day, Gunshot City, Full Circle, Water Drops Jason Paxton Glorie Makeshift Music
Softy 1, Softy 2, Softy 3 W.C. Bevan W.C. Bevan W.C. Bevan
Baby Brother (Instrumental) Brad Postlethwaite Brad Postlethwaite Makeshift Music
Your Ambient Voice Chris and Richard Adams Hood Domino Records
Featherlands, Transcend, Precedent, Transition, Resolution Alan Hayes Alan Hayes The House of Hayes

Follow-up

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On April 13, 2012, a follow-up based on the events in the documentary was featured in a story on This American Life titled Own Worst Enemy.[10] In the podcast the film's director, Morgan Jon Fox and Love In Action's now former director, John Smid, talk about meeting as enemies, and becoming friends over time.

References

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  1. ^ "Review: This is What Love in Action Looks Like | Ex-Gay Watch".
  2. ^ Williams, Alex (17 July 2005). "Gay Teenager Stirs a Storm". New York Times.
  3. ^ Phillips, Bianca. "Love, Action, and Evolution". The Memphis Flyer.
  4. ^ Metzke, Ross (10 October 2005). "Straight Camp Teen Released". Pink News.
  5. ^ Palazzolo, Rose. "'Ex-Gay' Camps, Therapy Programs Attract Controversy". ABC News.
  6. ^ Beifuss, John. "Memphis-based film unfurls with pride at San Francisco festival". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  7. ^ "AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2011 INDIE MEMPHIS FILM FESTIVAL". Indie Memphis.
  8. ^ "The Derek Oyston CHE Film Awards".
  9. ^ "New documentary examines a controversial gay 'rehab' program for teens". CNN.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012.
  10. ^ "Own Worst Enemy". This American Life. 13 April 2012.
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