The Moynihan Report "Tell Them You Love Me" director Nick August-Perna joins The Moynihan Report
May 23, 2025
Nick August-Perna, a documentary filmmaker known for his work on "Tell Them You Love Me," engages in a deep discussion about the complex relationship portrayed in his film between a professor and a nonverbal man with cerebral palsy. He dives into themes of consent, communication, and the legal challenges faced. The conversation also navigates the controversial methods of facilitated communication and the ethical implications of representation in disability advocacy, shedding light on the emotional depth and societal perceptions surrounding such narratives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Film Explores Consent and FC
- The film explores a controversial relationship between a professor and a nonverbal man through facilitated communication (FC).
- It raises deep questions about consent and the validity of FC despite its widespread skepticism.
FC Debunked as Pseudoscience
- Facilitated Communication (FC) is widely debunked as a pseudoscience likened to a Ouija board.
- The desire to believe in deeper communication often overrides scientific skepticism and harms families.
Anna's Genuine Belief in Relationship
- Nick spent extensive time interviewing Anna Stubblefield, capturing her genuine belief in her relationship with Derek.
- Anna saw Derek's relationship as a love story and felt she was giving him a voice through FC.
