A film by Alexis Hunley, and Annabelle Freedman, Wolf, is for and by queer femme survivors and aims to explore a specific and nuanced part of the power system. 
 
Wolf unpacks how men* who have been accused of assault often have a similar rebuttal; "I couldn't possibly be guilty, look at my beautiful family," or "I'm in the most healthy relationship, just ask my girlfriend!" We’ve all heard this dangerous shield.
 
This tactic effectively pits Survivors against one another. It prioritizes the reputation of the accused over the emotional or physical well-being of their supposed loved ones. Their family and lovers become props. Wolf explores the twisted feeling that this response provokes in relationships between survivors. It depicts symptoms of sexual assault (such as body dysmorphia, disassociation, and overcompensation) as well as fears that survivors face in private and with each other.
 
Wolf centers Survivors and their relationships with one another as well as the feelings of dissociation, rage, fear, and betrayal. The film is from the POV of the accused person. As such, he is invoked to look closer simultaneously with the viewer. He is made acutely aware of his gruesome impact as shown by survivors. This parallels how accountability is most often achieved in the world beyond this video. In being called to account, he is given the gift of the belief that he can do better.
 
Within the film, a flower-filled panel of Survivors as well as a dancing duo were prompted to discuss what safety and bliss feel like. Where do you find joy? How can we create spaces in which we are brave enough to offer each other repair?
 
As the systems of harm invariably pull themselves under, we have the challenge and the change to hold each other as we actualize a culture of consent. 
 
*In this film, we are exploring a scenario in which the abuser is a cis-white male. While anyone is capable of abuse, cis-white men have the social position to leverage these harmful defense tactics when accused.  Additionally, while people who have experienced abuse spans genders, cis men are the most likely group to commit abuse.