Starz today announced the exclusive acquisition of Ruth: Justice Ginsburg In Her Own Words, a galvanizing new documentary from Oscar(R)-winning director Freida Lee Mock (Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision, Anita: Speaking Truth to Power). The documentary chronicles Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s historic ascent to the Supreme Court, revealing both the public and private sides of the resilient, tenacious, and unassuming woman who became best known as the country’s preeminent defender of gender equality and human rights. Starz kicks off Women’s History Month with the premiere of the Ruth: Justice Ginsburg In Her Own Words documentary on STARZ on Monday, March 1 at 9PM ET/PT and will be available for download or streaming via the STARZ app. STARZ will also air the documentary on Monday, March 15 @ 8PM ET/PT on what would have been Justice Ginsburg’s 88th birthday.
“The film examines how U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg – also known as the Notorious RBG to her many admirers – became a cultural and social media icon while devoting her career to defending women’s rights,” said C. Brett Marottoli, Head of Program Acquisitions for Starz. “Starz has an ongoing commitment to films by, about, and for women and we’re thrilled to kick off Women’s History Month with this inspiring documentary honoring the legacy of RBG as told through her own words.”
“I’m excited for Starz audiences to discover how Justice Ginsburg impacted their everyday lives, both men and women, as a trailblazer for gender equality,” said Freida Lee Mock.
Ruth: Justice Ginsburg In Her Own Words
Ruth: Justice Ginsburg In Her Own Words tells the remarkable story of how Ruth Bader Ginsburg – who, at the outset of her career, was deemed unhireable on the basis of her gender despite graduating top of her class from both Harvard and Columbia Law Schools – went on to become the second woman ever appointed to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The film uses Ginsburg’s own words and actions to reveal, in exquisite detail, the full breadth of her life and career – from her work as a trailblazing litigator for the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project, to her groundbreaking work as an appellate judge, to her appointment to serve as a justice on America’s highest court, where she was eventually anointed by her admirers “The Notorious RBG” – a cultural icon and social media firebrand. Using archival footage and interviews, as well as evocative animations and illustrations, director Freida Lee Mock deftly dramatizes the confluence of factors – personal, psychological, social, and political – that shaped Ginsburg’s worldview and influenced the trajectory of her accomplished career.
Bolstered by an original score from Grammy(R)-winning composer Lili Haydn of the band Opium Moon, Ruth: Justice Ginsburg In Her Own Words features insights from colleagues and friends who were directly impacted by Ginsburg’s 40-year long career, including: California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu, Virgina Gubernatorial Candidate and Delegate Jennfier Carroll Foy, Lilly Ledbetter, Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, Irin Carmon, Shana Knizhnik, M.E. Freeman and Kathleen Peratis.
Directed, written and produced by Freida Lee Mock, the documentary was co-written with Mike Aguilar (The Choir and Conductor). Executive producers include Primetime Emmy(R) nominee Geralyn Dreyfous (“Money Monster,” “The Invitation“); Daytime Emmy(R) winner Sandra Lee (Rx Early Detection: A Cancer Journey With Sandra Lee); Primetime Emmy(R) nominee Regina K. Scully (“The Tale,” “The Invitation“); Barbara Dobkin (“On the Record,” “Icarus“); Danielle Summer Mark; and Cara Kennedy Cuomo.
The filmmakers are represented by UTA Independent Film Group and Marc H. Simon of Fox Rothschild LLP.
