Relative

I thought Relative was a beautifully nuance representation of the vulnerabilities that are so pervasive within families, specifically amongst children and women. It also speaks to the misogyny that is permitted to exist within families. The documentarian kept some privacy in terms of the family and showed what she felt most comfortable with. For so many families, silence is death. But, her willingness and the willingness of her mother, grandmother and great aunts to share pieces of their traumas was what made me feel so connected to this entire family. Her nuanced film gave voice to so many who don't have one. Thank you!

The film recounts the filmmakers journey of her own healing process, as she struggles with her experiences and the effects it had on her life after the experiences.

She reaches out to generations of her family and asks them if they had similar experiences in their own lives, and how they struggled with their own aftermath of emotions.

The film is not prurient or sensationalistic in any manner, yet the discussions are frank and sad to watch and listen to as family members are discussed over generations.

Many personal pictures and old home movie clips are interwoven into the film to give historical context to the older women's experiences and contexts.

I'm not a filmmaker or cinematographer so I can't rate the techniques and manner of the video as it's been constructed.

I can say that the video has a powerful visceral effect on me as a Dad with 4 children, now all grown adults, and my hope that none of the things discussed in this film ever happen to my granddaughters.

As Dad, I know what it's like when your child reveals, years after the fact, of experiences discussed in this film that were inflicted by a neighbor's foster child upon my child.

Healing is a long process.

Memories never go away completely.

They're put in a box in our minds so we can live our lives without pain they cause.

I hope this filmmaker continues to make films and that they're shown in streaming services.

Every family has skeletons in their closet. Unfortunately ignoring some of those skeletons cause irreparable damage that can create more, or damage others beyond repair. This courageous and honest look into one family's closet is heartbreaking and yet so healing!

The conversations that were had in this film busts those closet doors open, exposes truths long left for dead but are so necessary to help in the healing process.

Children are so often isolated, threatened, told no one will ever believe or love them that they carry those comments, believe them and sometimes don't understand why because they disassociate from the world.

This heartbreaking film is worth the watch. It's a step forward on a healing path and a peek into past generations reasons for locking those skeletons away. Bust down those doors! Speak Up and Loud if you are or were abused. Seek help.

This documentary absolutely moved me in ways I can't even put into words. So grateful for people like Tracey. She is an absolute hero in my eyes. I'm a truth giver, and I had so much in common with her and this documentary. It's a must watch!!!! Watching her tell her story was a true inspiration. In this documentary You find yourself relating your story with hers especially, if you've gone through it, and it helps you heal in ways by listening to others tell their story. I give this documentary a 10/10! I'm so happy I stumbled upon it. It was so meant to be. The next day I reflected back on my story, and what I went through and I can't express this enough. This documentary helped me so much.

This film, while difficult to watch at times because of subject matter, is needed. It depicted the complex layers that truth tellers/change makers face after being honest with their family about their trauma. Seeing the effects of patriarchy and sexual abuse on this Italian-Americans hit close to home. The relationship with the older generations, and hearing them speak their truths for the first time was tremendous. This film was well-done and ended in an unexpected way that will stay with me. This film makes me wish I could sit with the older generations of my family and ask the hard questions. It also inspires me to have open, deep dialogue with my three daughters, my nieces and nephews, my friend's children on sexual safety. Tracy's bravery inspires me to be brave.