Experiencing Interruptions?

THE SUM OF OUR PARTS

Kelly’s decision to get ‘bottom surgery’ has the unexpected effect of dredging up his partner Roseanne’s sexually abusive childhood. Roseanne must now care for Kelly while jumpstarting her own healing process. Fiercely independent Kelly learns to accept help, and Roseanne reclaims her sense of agency. Together they wrestle with their respective traumas; how it both defines them and provides unparalleled opportunities to heal.

  • Roseanne Malfucci
    Director
  • Roseanne Malfucci
    Writer
  • Joy E. Reed
    Editor
    Buck, How to Dance in Ohio, Ernie & Joe, Little Miss Westie
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    LGBTQ, Women, Health, Human Interest/Personal, #metoo, Sexual Abuse, Restorative Justice, Transgender
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 30, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    158,300 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    UHD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Roseanne Malfucci

Brooklyn-native Roseanne Malfucci launched her career tackling family and intimate partner violence in the non-profit sector. From there she balanced time as a pop culture writer and DJ, finally landing at a tech startup. In 2013 Roseanne managed the build of campaigning platform All Out, the largest global LGBTQ rights organization on the web, and went on to oversee web products for international human rights groups and Fortune 50 companies.

Roseanne speaks on macro issues for marginalized groups, like ageism in technology and the privilege of being authentic at work. She presents at conferences like Lesbians Who Tech and Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. Roseanne is currently on a leave of absence from ThoughtWorks, a global software consulting firm, to pursue advocacy for fellow survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Roseanne believes that growth only comes when we face our motivations and vulnerabilities, so she approaches all challenges by first looking within. This is her first film.

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Director Statement

Using my own story of survival to broaden public understanding around sexual abuse, "Free Agent" is a force in the growing movement to recognize minors who have been sexually manipulated by an adult. This dynamic is just starting to be tackled in stories like "Leaving Neverland", "I, Tonya", and "Surviving R. Kelly", but outside of celebrity culture it remains largely unnamed as exploitation. By giving viewers a window into my adolescent years—being groomed to be exploited by a neighbor twice my age—"Free Agent" attests to the grim ubiquity of child sexual abuse. But "Free Agent" is not a tragedy; it’s an honest, bittersweet account of fearless intimate relationships mending the darkest of traumas.