A handful of people hate this film because they think we are making fun of our subjects. And if people look at this film and have that gut-level reaction of dislike, I think it's partially justified, but it's your own prejudice speaking. We don't overtly try to reinforce that prejudice. I think if there was a computer program to take all of our footage and spit out a film that was totally fair to all of the people, I don't think the film would be any different. I think we are responsible, likable, non-ambush filmmakers.
Some filmmakers really have a very adversarial relationship with their subjects.
Still, I wouldn't want to open my personal tragedy to cameras. It's not something I'd want to document. I would never allow a film to be made about my problems, and the fact that I ask people for that permission makes me uncomfortable. Jennie Yabroff is a regular contributor to Salon.