The rite of spring | Melody Welch

Before the story of abuse broke, The 5 Browns’ image was very sugar-coated and family friendly. When media outlets uncovered their dark past, Desirae and Deondra Brown chose to advocate for survivors of abuse, while Melody largely remained out of the public eye. Around this time, Melody came off tour to the daunting task of going through a box of childhood keepsakes for an impending move. Each item seemed now to belong in the landfill. Photographs, stuffed animals, old birthday cards, and invaluable trinkets broke her in ways unimaginable. She went on to pen an emotive journal entry that served as the muse, concept and cathartic purging for this short film.