Surviving the Silence (2020)
80 min
Years before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Col. Patsy Thompson was forced to expel Army hero Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer for being a lesbian. What no one knew was that Thompson was a lesbian, too. The way Thompson handles the military trial, however, leads to Cammermeyer’s reinstatement via federal court and eventual change in military policy. While Cammermeyer’s memoir was adapted as a 1995 television movie by Barbra Streisand, Thompson’s story remained a secret until now. In addition to revealing history, Surviving the Silence explores Thompson’s life with now-wife Barbara Brass. They candidly share how they wrestled with heart-wrenching choices in public and in private, hiding their relationship,and struggling to protect their love, while preserving Patsy’s career — and how they emerged to become vibrant activists later in life.
- Release date
- June 1, 2020
- Country of origin
- United States
Cast
- Barbara Brass as Self
- Margarethe Cammermeyer as Self
- Eric Fanning as Self
- Mary Newcombe as Self
- Patsy Thompson as Self
Crew
- Cindy L. Abel · Director
- Cindy L. Abel · Writer
- Jesse Freeman · Writer
- Cindy L. Abel · Producer
- Marc Smolowitz · Producer
- Denise Gentilini · Composer
- Michael Bruno · Cinematographer
- Michael Bruno · Editor