you don't know my name
you don't know my name
A documentary feature by
Tommy Franklin
the search is on!
After being separated from his incarcerated mother at birth, Tommy Franklin searches for her identity while uncovering deep ancestral bloodlines. As he gets closer to this life-altering truth, he must navigate his way through systems designed to keep him in the dark.
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The protagonists
ALICIA
Alicia Roach was separated from her child after birthing him in prison. For over a decade, she dreamt of one day leading the charge in her hometown of Portland to become a prison doula, but felt alone in her quest for years, until she recently met badass prison doulas around the country and eventually Tommy, and she reassured him that his mother is out there somewhere thinking of him.
tommy
As a formerly incarcerated parent himself, Tommy tries to solve the mystery of who his mother is. He is on a journey of self-discovery, and he is fighting for the right to know the very source from which he came. His soul needs that clarity; there’s no other Black woman on earth he would rather meet, even if just once. It’s clear Tommy never wants to live life as the version of himself that gives up this search. How will he handle a brand new life with her should they meet? Or his dealing with her wanting nothing to do with him? Even if Tommy’s mother doesn’t want to love him, he is going to tell her, “I love you.”
erica AND CHAUNTEL
Erica Gerrity and Chauntel Norris, two prison doulas with decades experience helping reunite mothers with their children they were separated from after giving birth in prison, help Tommy lead the search for his birth mom. Tommy spends time with pregnant incarcerated people and mothers who have given birth while incarcerated. They discuss the complicated world of prison and post-prison life that can haunt someone forever. These conversations allow all parties involved to mirror to one another feelings of wonderment, curiosity, and hope.
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