FIRST RUN FEATURES ACQUIRES “FOR THEY NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO”

New York-based independent film distributor, First Run Features, has acquired North American rights to Daniel Karslake’s FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO. The critically-acclaimed, award-winning documentary is set for a virtual theatrical release nationwide on June 12th, in collaboration with independent arthouse cinemas via their websites. FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO is Karslake’s follow up to the critically-acclaimed, 2007 Oscar® Shortlisted documentary “For the Bible Tells Me So,” and is a powerful exploration of the intersection of religion, sexual orientation and gender identity in America. It spotlights four families of faith with LGBTQ children, chronicling their stories of rejection, validation, tragedy, and triumph while offering insight, compassion, and healing for those caught in the crosshairs.
“After the U.S. Supreme Court legalized marriage equality, there was a sense of victory among many in the LGBTQ community. However, the reaction from the political and religious right to roll back LGBTQ civil rights was swift and severe,” said Karslake. “My hope is for all audiences to meet these four courageous families in order to better understand how much we share in common with one another. Our team feels incredibly fortunate to reunite with Marc Mauceri and First Run Features in spreading this message.”
In addition to the families’ stories, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO highlights perspectives from internationally renowned religious leaders including Bishop Gene Robinson, Pastor Dr. Delman Coates, Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis, and Reverend Cynthia Alice Anderson; and features Sarah McBride, the 2020 Delaware Senate candidate who notably addressed the Democratic National Convention in 2016 as the first openly transgender person to do so.
The documentary made its world premiere at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival to unanimous critical acclaim, with reviewers calling it “compelling and deeply moving” (The Hollywood Reporter), “full of hope” (Film Threat), and “a way forward to a better, kinder, and ultimately more inclusive and loving world” (CC2K). FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO has since garnered six Audience Awards and three Jury Prizes from film festivals both in the U.S. and internationally.
“It’s a treat for us to be working with Dan and his team again,” said Marc Mauceri, Vice President of First Run Features. “’For the Bible Tells Me So’ has a special place in our heart and history, not only as one of our highest grossing films in our 41 years of distribution, but more importantly in how it enlightened and empowered so many people over the years since its release. If any documentary deserves a follow-up, it’s this one, and we couldn’t be more excited in helping to bring ‘For They Know Not What They Do’ to American audiences with the support of independent film theaters across the country.”
FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO is directed, co-written, and produced by Daniel Karslake, co-written and edited by Nancy Kennedy (“Why We Fight,” “The Jinx”), and produced by Sheri Heitker (“Every Three Seconds”) and Barbara Simon (“CBS This Morning”).
SYNOPSIS
From critically-acclaimed director/producer Daniel Karslake (the 2007 Oscar-Shortlisted documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So”) comes a new film, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO, a powerful exploration of the intersection of religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity in America. The documentary spotlights the heartfelt, personal journeys of four families of faith with LGBTQ children: Rob and Linda Robertson whose evangelical church convinced them to put their son in conversion therapy; David and Sally McBride, life-long Presbyterians who were shocked when their youngest son came out to them as a transgender woman; Victor Baez and Annette Febo whose Catholic tradition and Puerto Rican culture made their gay son fearful to admit it out loud; and Harold and Coleen Porcher, mixed-race parents of a non-binary child who suffered self-harm. Internationally renowned religious leaders including Bishop Gene Robinson, Pastor Dr. Delman Coates, Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis, and Reverend Cynthia Alice Anderson are also featured; as well as Sarah McBride, the 2020 Delaware Senate candidate who notably addressed the Democratic National Convention in 2016 as the first openly transgender person to do so. Compassionate and insightful, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO offers healing for those caught in the crosshairs between faith and family.
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