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Searching for Angela Shelton cover image

Searching for Angela Shelton 2004

Recommended

Distributed by Searching For Angela Shelton, P.O. Box 39702, Los Angeles, CA 90039-9702
Produced by Angela Shelton and Christopher Gallo
Directed by Angela Shelton
DVD, color, 94 min.



College - Adult
Women's Studies, Sociology

Date Entered: 10/13/2005

Reviewed by Nancy E. Frazier, E. H. Butler Library, State University of New York College at Buffalo

Filmmaker Angela Shelton is a woman on a mission. An affable young woman with an engaging smile, Angela Shelton sets out in an RV on a cross-country journey to meet and film other women who share her name.

Across 13,261 miles and over a period of 57 days, Angela Shelton met 40 other Angela Sheltons and discovered that 24 of them had been victims of abuse. While listening to their stories, Angela reveals her own anguished chronicle of sexual abuse by her father. As she travels from state to state meeting Angela Sheltons, she uncovers more personal sorrow.

The scenery is beautiful and the mix of emotions is captivating. Viewers are along for shockingly honest ride threaded with taped conversations between Angela and an alcoholic abuse victim who refused to be filmed. The Angelas include white and black women including - a fast food worker, a junior high school music teacher, a self-described “leisure technologist” who doesn’t work outside the home, a dentist, and an investigator of sexual predators. Angela gathered strength through meeting the other women, and was finally able to confront her father on Father’s Day, a disturbing meeting revealed on film. Angela Shelton appeared on the Oprah show “Confronting Family Secrets,” and her film was featured on the television program 48 Hours. Searching for Angela Shelton is scheduled to air on Lifetime Television in 2006.

Recommended for general adult audiences.

Awards

  • Memphis International Film Festival, Best Documentary
  • Sonoma Valley Film Festival, Audience Award
  • Austin Film Festival, Best Independent Documentary
  • Durango Film Festival, Audience Award
  • Zoie Fest, Best Independent Film
  • Newport Beach Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking