Issues of silence - Film examines the unspoken problem of abuse

People today seldom talk about issues of sexual molestation, drug abuse or child abuse in a community, so it's no wonder that the topic doesn't come up much at church.

But a new movie by Bishop T.D. Jakes is bringing those issues to light. Jakes' movie "Woman, Thou Art Loosed" was released in early October but hit the big screens of Southeast Missouri Oct. 22.

The film hasn't had nearly the publicity enjoyed by Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." An independent film, "Woman, Thou Art Loosed" was released by Magnolia Pictures and doesn't have the cast or the look of a hit Hollywood film. And the film carries an R rating.

Yet people are buying tickets; so far the film has grossed over $6 million.

Cindy Morey saw the movie earlier in the week in Cape Girardeau and had read the book on which it is based. "The book is more self-help," she said.

But the movie takes on a lot of social issues that Christians don't speak about. "I work in social services and know of lots of people who have been abused," she said.

Morey hopes that people who see the movie find someone to talk with about their particular needs.

That's what the character Michelle Jordan, played by Kimberly Elise, does in the film. A victim of childhood molestation, she finally finds counsel in a visit from Jakes, who portrays himself in the film. Jordan was abused by her mother's boyfriend and her mother never acknowledged that the abuse happened. This denial sends Michelle into a world of drugs, prostitution and eventually to prison.

Although the movie is about abuse, it also touches on subjects like the death penalty, healing and freedom.

Tammy Gwaltney, executive director of the SEMO Network Against Sexual Violence, said her staff intends to see the film as a group because of the issues it addresses.

But she also cautions people who see it and think that healing can come quickly for abuse victims. "Healing is a long process for a victim," she said.

And until people can talk openly about child sexual abuse and physical abuse, the issue won't ever be fully resolved, Gwaltney said.

Often it takes a celebrity to bring an issue to light in society, but that hasn't been the case with sexual abuse. Many celebrities have talked about their abuse but people aren't yet willing to acknowledge that it happens as much as it does, Gwaltney said.

In the film, Jakes offers statistics about the number of women who are abused and provides information for how to seek help. The film's Web site does the same.

"If people talk about it and acknowledge that it happens then they're accountable to do something," Gwaltney said.

Jakes took a composite of several woman and created the character Michelle Jordan. "Woman, Thou Art Loosed" was a Sunday school curriculum used by Jakes in his church, The Potter's House, in Dallas.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

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