"The Church House: Sexuality in the Black Church" will debut at Rutgers-Newark on Sept. 28
D. Channisin Berry (Handout)NEWARK - As a veteran documentary filmmaker, D. Channisin Berry prides himself on shining light in dark places.
For his latest venture, the Newark native has once again explored a topic many consider taboo, and which colors a space many in the black community consider more sacred than any - their church.
"The Church House: Sexuality in the Black Church", which will debut at Rutgers-Newark later this month, explores a myriad of issues within African-American spirituality, ranging from its views on homosexuality to adultery by church elders.
"I had many people come to me and talk about what was going on in the black church - not only just homosexuality but sexuality and sex period," he said in a Thursday interview. "The use and abuse of power from the pulpit to the pew. It's nothing new, but it's just something that nobody wants to talk about."
Many of the questions posed by the film may seem obvious. It tackles both the church's views on homosexuality and pedophilia, issues that are far from confined to African-American houses of worship.
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However, it also delves into problems Berry believes are buried even deeper in the fabric of his community, such as pastors and other authority figures using their positions to pursue female members of their congregation, and the lack of women in leadership positions throughout the church.
"Women have been relegated to the floor and not the pulpit. How is it that 53 to 72 percent of the congregation are women, and yet they have no say-so in the church's business?" he said. "Are you telling me that God doesn't speak through women too?"
Berry said he has received some resistance from church leaders around the country fearful about his film's impact on the church, but said that any criticism has been far outweighed by supporters anxious to have a conversation about long-festering issues.
THE CHURCH HOUSE TRAILER from TINE TIME PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.
The film features interviews with pastors from the Newark area, including the Rev. Ronald Slaughter of Saint James AME Church.
"The Church House" will look to build on the success of "Dark Girls" - his look at the sensitive topic of colorism in black communities.
"I only tackle things that make me cry, make me think deeply and have much to do with people of color in terms of healing," he said.
The documentary will premiere at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 at Rutgers-Newark's Paul Robeson Center.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting Eventbrite.com or calling (973) 624-4007. All proceeds will go to the St. James Social Service Corporation.
Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.