I Wish You Had Told Me (2025)

"If you see him, tell him I'm sorry"

A son has to come to terms with his father’s secret life and his own religion in I Wish You Had Told Me. This film was a touching story of a young man having his eyes opened to the idea that love is love.

At his father’s funeral, Seph’s loving tribute to his dad is interrupted by a woman who lets everyone know that Otep had been gay. The pastor refuses to bless Otep damning him to an eternity in hell. Seph tries to appeal to the pastor and congregation reminding them of the kind and selfless man his father had been. No one budges. Seph discovers a suitcase with a cache of love letters his father had written to a pen pal in Spain. The woman who made a scene at the funeral tells Seph about the man his father had loved many years ago, and the final unmailed letter. Seph determines to deliver the letter in person, but the trip won’t be easy.

Seph’s trip to Europe began as a proselytizing mission with his church. His partner, Marlon, had his own issues with their pastor. Both men had to rethink their beliefs and what they had been taught from the church that maintained power over all aspects of their lives. This aspect of the film may be triggering for people in a variety of ways.

Seph maintained a connection to his father through his phone and was shown brief flashbacks of his father’s life. If anyone has ever lost a loved one and called their phone to hear the familiar voice on the outgoing message or texted just to send their love, you’ll understand Seph’s actions. The only difference was that he actually received messages back and visits that were heartwarming and poignant.

The church that caused numerous people so much pain, threw Seph’s existence into disarray, also chained his father to a sorrowful life. Despite ecclesiastical disruptions, father and son still maintained their faith, their belief in love simply expanded. Seph’s search was painful, awkward, and ultimately rewarding and not just for himself. It turns out he wasn’t the only one who needed closure and a reminder of the love that had been given.

6 April 2026
Trigger warning: Sexual assault alluded to

The oft quoted scripture Otep and Seph used:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I Corinthians 13. 4-7

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