In the gripping documentary *Tell Them You Love Me*, a married white professor’s affair with Derrick Johnson, a Black man with cerebral palsy, ignites national controversy. Accusations from Johnson’s mother about his ability to consent fuel heated debates on power, disability, and race. Directed by Nick August-Perna and executive produced by Louis Theroux and Arron Fellows for Mindhouse, this film delves into the complex true story of Anna Stubblefield and Derrick Johnson.
“It’s a gripping film that delves into intricate themes,” August-Perna shares with Tudum. “To me, it’s about individuals intertwined by a shared tragedy.”
“I first discovered this story through a New York Times article about 10 years ago, and I was instantly captivated,” Theroux shares. “It touches on crucial social issues like race, sexuality, and disability.”
Storyline & Plot of Tell Them You Love Me
The documentary delves into the controversial case of Anna Stubblefield, a former Rutgers University-Newark ethics professor convicted in 2015 for sexually assaulting Derrick Johnson, a nonverbal man with cerebral palsy. Their paths crossed in 2009 when John Johnson, Derrick’s brother and Stubblefield’s student, sought her help for his sibling’s communication challenges. Eager to assist, Stubblefield taught Derrick to use an LED keyboard and even helped him enroll in a university class.
During their meetings, Stubblefield — then married — claims they fell in love and had a consensual affair. However, Derrick Johnson’s mother, Daisy Johnson, argues her son lacked the capacity for such intimacy. She insists that his keyboard communication was only possible if Stubblefield manipulated his hands.
August-Perna emphasizes the importance of striking the right tone in tackling project sensitivities. “I had to balance and maintain the integrity of the storylines, revealing key elements at precisely the right moments.”
The film features riveting interviews with Derrick Johnson, Daisy Johnson, and facilitated communication advocate Rosemary Crossley. It delves into the early days of Derrick’s relationship with Stubblefield and the dramatic trial that ensued.
“To truly capture this story, we had to present every angle and involve everyone who played a part,” co-executive producer Fellows tells Tudum. “That’s what makes the film so powerful.”
Facilitated Communication Explained in Detail
Facilitated communication (FC), also known as assisted or supported typing, is a debunked method aimed at helping individuals with communication disabilities. In this practice, a facilitator physically aids the person in typing or pointing to letters and pictures. However, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) states there’s no scientific proof supporting FC’s validity; evidence shows that messages often come from the facilitator instead of the disabled individual. Leading organizations like ASHA, the American Psychological Association, and the Association for Science in Autism Treatment have all denounced this technique.
“Facilitated communication is flawed, though it can work for some,” Theroux observes. He questions if the method alone caused issues between the film’s subjects. “Another culprit is our vanity in thinking we know what’s best,” he adds. “Nonverbal disabled people are more vulnerable to misinterpretation, making mistakes potentially catastrophic.”
August-Perna asserts, “Communication is power. We must treat it with utmost seriousness, especially when it’s absent or misused.”
Where does Tell Them You Love Me take place?
The documentary unfolds in Irvington, New Jersey, home to the Johnsons, and West Orange, where Stubblefield resides.
The below contains major plot details.
Where is Anna Stubblefield now?
In 2015, Stubblefield was convicted of first-degree aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to 12 years. Her conviction was overturned in 2017 due to a technicality involving dismissed testimony on facilitated communication. She accepted a plea deal for a lesser charge and was released after two years. Suspended from Rutgers-Newark before her arrest for alleged misconduct with Derrick Johnson, she found work as a restaurant server but lost the job within a year due to publicity around her case. Now, she does unspecified part-time work from home.
August-Perna believes the overturned conviction isn’t straightforward. “It’s complicated,” he explains, pointing to key evidence excluded from the original trial. While unsure if it would have changed the verdict, he notes that most legal experts support the appellate decision.
After covering Stubblefield’s trial, sentencing, and release, the documentary concludes with a visit to Derrick Johnson at his New Jersey home. There, he lives with his mother. Director Theroux explains this choice: “We needed to remind viewers of our central character and mute all other voices for a moment. The bigger picture is that he’s healthy, safe, loved, but we also wonder what more life could offer him under different circumstances.”
“It’s a film where every twist sparks fresh intrigue, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the final frame,” says August-Perna.
“Tell Them You Love Me” dives into the controversial case of Anna Stubblefield and Derrick Johnson, exploring power, consent, and communication. Through gripping interviews and an in-depth look at facilitated communication, it unravels complex dynamics. Directed by Nick August-Perna with producers Louis Theroux and Arron Fellows, this documentary challenges viewers to rethink disability and consent. Set in Irvington and West Orange, New Jersey, its legal and emotional layers leave audiences informed and profoundly moved.
