Bobbie Birleffi

Making of Across the Universe

After a lifetime of hiding, Chely Wright becomes the first commercial country music singer to come out as gay, shattering cultural stereotypes within Nashville, per conservative heartland family and, most importantly, within herself. With unprecedented access over a two-year period, including her private video diaries, the film layers Chely's rise to fame while hiding in the late 90's with the execution of her coming out plan, culminating in the exciting moment when she steps into the media glare to reveal she is gay. The film shows both the devastation of internalized homophobia and the transformational power of living an authentic life. The film also documents the conflicting responses from Nashville, the heartland and the LGBT community as Chely Wright prepares for an unknown future.

Explores the problem of child molestation. Presents several case studies and has interviews of the offender, victim, and the offender's wife. Explores such issues as motivation, childhood sexual experiences or abuse of the offender, and long-term effects of the molestation upon offender, victim, and family unit. Shows individual counseling sessions and group therapy in progress. Has interviews with legal and mental health professionals who counsel offenders and victims. Discusses the question of whether a child molester is a criminal or is mentally ill, and points out that therapy provides temporary controls but may not provide a cure.