Things Behind the Sun (2001)
Directed by Allison Anders
Written by Allison Anders
Starring Kim Dickens, Gabriel Mann
Release Date January 24th, 2001
Published June 26th, 2001
There is no more damaging crime in the world than rape. A victim of rape in most cases will deal with that trauma the rest of their lives. How do I know anything about this? I have two female friends who were victims of date rape; raped by men they knew and thought they could trust. The pain on their faces when the subject of intimacy comes up lets me know more than I could ever express about the horrible trauma of rape. That same kind of pain is brought home in a very deep and profound way in Allison Anders' Showtime television project Things Behind The Sun.
Things Behind the Sun is the story of an up and coming rock star named Sherry (Kim Dickens), who at the age of 12 was raped. She can't remember the details of the rape such as where it happened or who did it. Gabriel Mann is Owen, a rock journalist who is sent to interview Sherry but also has a secret that is key to what happened to her on the day she was raped. Owen was there when it happened, in fact he was an unwilling participant in the rape, forced by his own brother, played by Eric Stoltz, to rape the girl with whom he had just begun a tentative relationship. At first Sherry doesn't know who Owen is, she is locked in an alcoholic haze induced by the years of torment following her attack. But once Sherry finds out who Owen is the film gains it's momentum, and becomes an emotional rollercoaster.
Things Behind The Sun was directed and written by well-known indie hauteur Allison Anders and is said to be based on some of her own personal experiences. This is probably why the film feels so real it was almost too painful to watch. Anders is one the most brave and beautiful filmmakers I have ever seen and proves that film is not just entertainment at times, it can also be art.
The performances by Gabriel Mann and especially Kim Dickens are deeply affecting and emotional. It's surprising because neither had previously shown much promise. Especially Mann, whose resume includes Josie & the Pussycats and the Freddie Prinze Jr. movie Summer Catch. Each actor is aided greatly by a brilliant supporting cast including Don Cheadle (Candidate for best actor on the planet in my opinion), as Sherry's much abused manager and boyfriend/attempted savior, Rosanna Arquette, Eric Stoltz and Elizabeth Pena in small but pivotal roles.
Things Behind The Sun is the first film in a long time that was able to pierce my ironic armor and go straight to my heart with it's beautifully written story, moving performances and lovely soundtrack provided in part by Sonic Youth. I am not ashamed to admit this film made me cry more than once though admittedly I'm closer to the subject matter than some. I feel it may have that effect on anyone who sees it. In retrospect Things Behind The Sun may have been the best film of 2001, I urge everyone to see it
