VIDEO

Art Credit: Jano Tantongco, jano.tantongco@gmail.com

AUDIO

Where love reigns, there is no will to power; and where the will to power is paramount, love is lacking. The one is but the shadow of the other…

CG Jung Volume 7, Para 78

Can we protect ourselves and others from powerful projections that confuse reality and make us vulnerable in ways we cannot imagine?

In honest and open discussion, we meet with director Nick August-Perna, whose controversial documentary, “Tell Them You Love Me,” has set off a firestorm.

Rutgers professor Anna Stubblefield claimed to unlock Derrick Johnson through facilitated communication. Debate erupted about whether Johnson, a nonverbal Black man with cerebral palsy, could give consent. Was this true love, or an abuse of power?

Race, informed consent, the personal autonomy of people with intellectual disabilities, and overwhelming archetypal dynamics must be grasped to understand the complex forces at work in their relationship, and the reactions others felt when it was discovered.

Director Nick August-Perna masterfully crafts the documentary, bringing a nuanced perspective to this provocative story. His approach challenges the traditional documentary form, aiming to inspire discourse and build empathy. By focusing on first-hand testimonies and expert opinions, Nick provides a balanced view that encourages viewers to question their assumptions about power dynamics and ethical boundaries. His direction ensures that the film is not just a recounting of events but an exploration of deeper psychological and social issues.

Our Jungian perspective delves into the savior complex and countertransference, highlighting how Stubblefield’s intentions, though possibly well-meaning, were deeply problematic. Lifting archetypal dynamics, such as the loss of innocence through the serpent in the Garden of Eden and the instinct to protect the eternal child, add mythic significance to the narrative. Reflections on transgression and the alchemical nature of therapeutic relationships offer an understanding of how boundaries can blur, leading to ethical violations. Our analyses provide a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of the documentary’s themes.

The film centers on facilitated communication, though intended to help nonverbal individuals express themselves, which may lead the facilitator into unconsciously projecting their fantasies. We examine how Stubblefield’s actions, influenced by her projections and desires, may have constellated the ethical dilemma.

The story touches on the deep-seated racial and social power imbalances at play. Stubblefield’s belief in Johnson’s cognitive abilities contrasted sharply with the views of his family and medical professionals. The possibility that Stubblefield may have imposed her will on Derrick surfaced the complicated intersection where multigenerational trauma, race, status, culture, and disability meet in a nexus that evokes fears of abuse.

The documentary traces the legal proceedings to illuminate this case’s complexities further. Stubblefield was initially sentenced to two 12-year terms for aggravated sexual assault, a decision later overturned on appeal. The court ruled that evidence related to Facilitated Communication was inadmissible, reflecting the broader scientific bias against the method. This legal battle highlights the difficulties in adjudicating cases involving disputed forms of communication and consent, especially when intertwined with emotional and psychological factors.

The powerful images underscore the psychological impacts of the relationship on both individuals and the viewers. Stubblefield’s confidence in the shared love and mutual consent contrasts starkly with the presentation of Johnson as a vulnerable individual unable to walk unassisted, speak plainly for himself, or control his gestures. This dichotomy between perceived love and actual capacity for consent forms the excruciating crux of psychological tension in the story. It challenges us to consider the boundaries between care, infantilization, defensive optimism, the need to love and be loved, and abuse.

The power of unconscious transference and projection is offered as a frame of understanding. Stubblefield’s possible projection of her desires and fantasies onto Johnson obscures the role of intention. Her troubled marriage and determination to restore the dignity of the disabled undoubtedly shaped her attitude toward Derrick. Humanizing her motives may help us understand the struggle to separate a helper’s powerful unmet needs from the helping role.

Interestingly, the film also explores the concept of innocence and its loss, central to Western mythos. Johnson is presented as an innocent child-like victim, which contrasts with Stubblefield’s role as the instigator of a sexual relationship. This dynamic evokes powerful archetypal themes of the corruption of innocence and the mythic consequences of transgression. The story compels us to reflect on the role of religious themes in framing our perception of normative and abnormal behavior.

Surprisingly, the film subtly evokes the theme of redemption and forgiveness. Stubblefield’s plea deal and eventual release from prison raise questions about justice. This aspect of the story prompts us to consider the role of punishment or rehabilitation in cases involving complex psychological dynamics and intent or lack of intent to harm.

“Tell Them You Love Me” prompts us to consider the power of personal biases in shaping our perceptions. Stubblefield’s belief in Johnson’s cognitive abilities and Derrick’s Mother, Daisey’s confidence that Derick is her eternal child needing protection from adult sexuality are presented in their own words. The director leaves the evaluation to the viewer rather than interpose an editorial position.

A Jungian perspective adds a level of psychological complexity to human conflict and suffering that forces us to hold warring tensions within us. Nick August-Perna’s film offers us that same opportunity, allowing multiple voices, divergent feelings, and cultural tensions to surface without resolution in hopes that we, as the viewers, will grow and learn through the struggle to understand.

Nick August-Perna is an award-winning director, producer, and editor whose work has been nominated for the Emmys, the Duponts, and the Academy Awards. His directorial work aims to present stories that challenge the shape and power of the documentary form, to inspire discourse, and to build empathy. His latest feature documentary, Tell Them You Love Me, premiered on Netflix in June of this year and was the #1 most watched film in America its first week on the platform. Learn more about Nick HERE.

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