“Any film, or any story, or any person that is living its truth and being authentic has been an inspiration for me to keep moving forward.”

This is what Tracey Acrabasso Smith had to say about what inspired her to bring her family’s story of abuse forward in her debut documentary feature, Relative. Taking a deep dive into tough conversations while reflecting on her own experience in inappropriate behavior, Tracey takes this opportunity to bring secrets to light and finally address issues that her family has historically looked past in order to preserve the integrity of their family.

The synopsis for Relative reads as follows: This beautifully nuanced deeply personal documentary journeys across four generations of an Italian-American family as they unpack the trauma of sexual abuse. Riveting intergenerational interviews are intercut with countless hours of home movies from the 1940s through present day, carrying the audience through a cinematically intimate exploration of what it looks and feels like to break the silence of multigenerational trauma, one conversation at a time.

In this conversation, I talk with Tracey about the challenges that came with making this documentary happen as well as how the experience in making this film has shaped her own approach to being a mother.

Learn more about Relative on the Hot Docs website, and watch the full conversation here: