For They Know Not What They Do

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For They Know Not What They Do

2019

1h 31m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

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20 Reviews

100%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Activists wage a state-by-state campaign to try to limit the rights of America's LGBTQ population.

Leah Greenblatt

Entertainment Weekly

It's almost impossible to fault its heartfelt aims: to expose both the considerable damage organized religion can wreak on gay or transgender kids, and the ways that confronting those facts can also be a genuine force for change.

Rated: B+

Jun 13, 2020

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Matt Fagerholm

RogerEbert.com

By respecting the spiritual journeys of his subjects, Karslake affirms that he is more concerned with reaching across the aisle than preaching to the choir.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 12, 2020

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Lovia Gyarkye

New York Times

Its success comes from interrogating the cultural assumption that there is no space for a range of sexual orientations and gender identities within religious communities.

Jun 11, 2020

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David Reddish

Queerty

Karslake searches for a kind of reconciliation between faith and sexualitythe notion that faith has a place in the lives of LGBTQ people, and vice versa. Tender and at times excruciating by design, the film is a welcome call for peace.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 20, 2022

Full Review

Louis Proyect

Counterpunch.org

They say a documentary succeeds when the subjects are compelling. On this basis, Daniel Karslake is a pure genius.

Sep 16, 2020

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Gregg Shapiro

Bay Area Reporter

It tells emotionally moving stories of families of faith coming to terms with their LGBTQ+ children, not something that regularly makes the headlines.

Rated: B+

Aug 20, 2020

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 31 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/11/25

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Audience Member

Dan Karslake has somehow done it again with his new film, a "sequel" to the moving and award winning film, "For The Bible Tells Me So". I found this very timely film hit all the right notes and was once again moved to tears. Thank you Dan Karslake for your incredible and important work. If we could clone you the world would be a better place.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After coming out my parents we had a difficult time seeing eye to eye on many things. It wasn't only that they couldn't see where I was coming from and relate to how I was feeling, I also couldn't see where they were coming from and how they were feeling. We sat down and watched this movie together and by the end of it hugs and tears brought us together. The directors of this movie bridge a gap that is not often seen. Movies like this are usually so biased to one side that they don't serve in purpose in bringing different groups together. This movie is different and it's a real treasure!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Multi-award-winning director Daniel Karslake does it again with "For They Know Not What They Do." He's a brilliant filmmaker and storyteller who deftly introduces us to the complicated worlds of four American families who discover they have an LGBTQ child. He beautifully draws us in as the families struggle with preconceived biases, outdated laws, religious beliefs, and societal pressures... fighting with all their might to attempt to reach a new level of love and acceptance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

Done beautifully!!!! Kept thinking about the film for days afterwards

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

Loved it! Super powerful and devastating...yet hopeful. The families in this film are both heart-breaking and seriously inspirational. This film is a must-see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Daniel G. Karslake

Director

Daniel G. Karslake

Writer

Daniel G. Karslake

Producer

Sheri Heitker

Producer

Barbara Simón

Producer

Richard Purington

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Activists wage a state-by-state campaign to try to limit the rights of America's LGBTQ population.

Director: Daniel G. Karslake
Producer: Daniel G. Karslake, Sheri Heitker, Barbara Simón
Screenwriter: Daniel G. Karslake
Production Co: DK Works
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 13, 2020
Runtime: 1h 31m

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