Things We Shouldn't Talk About

A country at war. 

The US is besieged by a culture war campaign that aims to strip away the rights of millions of Americans. They wage war for the dominance and reimagining of this country while simultaneously fueling a mental health epidemic.

Based on his multi-award-winning short film, activist filmmaker Robbie Kruithoff explores the architects fueling this conflict, their growing influence, and the hidden trail of victims left in their wake...

Hidden behind the media coined, colloquial, “Culture War,” is, in fact, a very real battle taking place.  The most powerful alliance in this country’s history has been assembled and

activated to do the bidding of the highly proactive, dissenting minority.  This shadow alliance was developed to serve the Venn diagram of the interests intersecting between politicians, big business, media, and the Christian Nationalist movement.  Born of the extremism of the evangelical church, the modern-day Christian Nationalist movement brings with it the righteous weaponization of this exclusionary brand of Christianity to its coalition of allies.  They operate with impunity under the guise of religious liberty and biblical Judeo-Christian philosophy. They are an extremely well-funded, united force, working tirelessly and unabated in their quest to roll back laws, increase their influence, and abuse levers of government, they advance discrimination and hatred.

Their recent successes can be directly tied to the appointments of 54 U.S. Supreme Court decisions, and attacks on the civil rights of women, minorities, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community. The election of Donald Trump, book bans, rollbacks on gun control, the weakening of environmental protections, the breakdown of church and state, and BILLIONS of dollars washed through tax-exempt 5601(c)(3)/501(c)(4) groups. 

Such as the recent rolling back of abortions rights, book bans, educational reform, and a BILLIONS of dollars washed through non-profits.

But there are far more victims whose stories don’t make the evening news.

• Every 45 seconds an LGBTQ person attempts suicide in the USA. 
• Queer Religious youths (QRY) aged 14-25 are up to 10x more likely to commit suicide, making them one of the most at-risk groups in the country and on the planet. 
• Hate crimes against the LGBTQ community, specifically against trans individuals are at record highs. 
• This year alone has seen more than 520 anti-LGBTQ laws proposed nationwide in state legislature(s)

Things We Shouldn’t Talk About is a deeply personal documentary told through the eyes of its activist filmmaker Robbie Kruithoff. As the gay son of two Pentecostal ministers, Robbie is uniquely positioned to understand the impassioned ideology of the evangelical church. And, as a suicide survivor, he connects with other survivors struggling with their mental health journeys. Through his filmmaking journey he seeks to dispel the traditional villainization of politicians and media figures while revealing the real decision-makers, power brokers, and arbiters of this modern-day crusade. Every step along his journey is colored by Robbie’s desire to not cause greater division, but to spread an awareness and a desire to heal communities that have seen so much pain.

As we hear stories on both sides of the philosophical spectrum, we see how intersecting their journeys are, and how much they directly and indirectly influence one another on their personal campaigns for a better future. Robbie asks himself, and others, in a society so obsessed with, “I,” and “THEM,” how do find our common humanity? If for but a moment, we can focus not on advantaging our goals but to safeguard others perhaps we can find a way forward.

Things We Shouldn’t Talk About, reflecting both the macro and micro levels of our divided society, doesn’t provide answers to the problems but draws the desperately needed attention this crisis deserves.

Things We Shouldn’t Talk About is a provocative and often controversial examination of the complexities surrounding the bitter division in this country. It touches on issues like fear, hatred, and intrinsic American values. Although the real victims’ suffering often goes unnoticed and unaccounted for, we seek to elevate and amplify their stories, the resilience of their communities, and their urgent need for understanding, acceptance, support, and love. Robbie doesn’t offer simple solutions; but rather, he poses the question: with so much at stake, how can we not talk about it?