In this episode of Lost in Jersey, we sit down with documentary filmmaker Julie Cohen, known for award-winning films RBG, Every Body, Julia; Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, The Sturgeon Queens, and My Name is Pauli Murray, most directed alongside frequent filmmaking partner Betsy West. Julie shares her journey to New Jersey from New York City and insights into her filmmaking process, which often highlights themes of justice, resilience, and social change. We discuss her recent film, Every Body, a powerful film chronicling the lives of intersex individuals and the effects of unnecessary surgery while they were children.
In the interview’s second half, we discuss her powerful latest film, The Path Forward (trailer below), co-directed with Mo Husseini, a film maker and writer behind the viral post 50 Completely True Things. Together, Julie Cohen, a Jewish-American, and Mo Huseini, a Palestinian-American, explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by amplifying Jewish and Palestinian voices directly affected by the war seeking peace.
Podcast Interview:
Video Interview:
Awards Received
- RBG: Won Emmy, BAFTA, and Nominated for Academy Award. Shared with Betsy West
- Every Body: Won a Subject Matter grant at the Tribeca Film Festival. It was also nominated for a Critics Choice Award and a GLAAD Award.
- The Sturgeon Queens: Won 10 Audience Choice Awards and screened at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival.
- I Live to Sing: Won the 2014 New York Emmy Award for Best Arts Program.
- Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down: Won the AARP’s Best Documentary. Nominated for two Critics’ Choice Awards with Betsy West
- My Name Is Pauli Murray, Won Full Frame Documentary Festival with Betsy West
- For more awards, see IMDB
Watch Julie's Films
Julia – Julia Child on HBO Max
RBG Ruth Bader Ginsberg Documentary on Amazon Prine
Every Body on Amazon Prime
My Name is Pauli Murray on Amazon Prime
Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down on Amazon Prime
The Sturgeon Queens
The Path Forward – currently in select theater previews.
Follow Julie Cohen for more information on film releases and upcoming films.
Episode Summary
Podcast Episode Summary: Interview with Julie Cohen
Introduction
Rachel and Janette introduce the episode, highlighting their recent interview with Julie Cohen, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and producer. They encourage listeners to explore her body of work, which includes notable documentaries about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Gabby Giffords, and Every Body about intersex issues.
The Path Forward
The discussion spotlights Julie Cohen’s latest film, The Path Forward, which she co-directed with Mo Husseini. The film focuses on people looking for humanity and a peaceful way forward in the Israeli and Palestinian conflicts.
- Film Overview: The film explores the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, featuring dialogues between Arabs and Jews seeking common ground.
Julie Cohen’s Accomplishments
- Awards and Recognition: Julie is an Academy Award-nominated director, Emmy winner, and Peabody Award recipient.
- Notable Works:
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary (co-directed with Betsy West)
- Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down
- My Name is Pauli Murray
- Everybody (focused on intersex issues)
- Upcoming Film: Julie discusses her film, The Path Forward, which addresses the Israeli-Gaza war and aims to find a peaceful resolution.
Julie’s Journey to New Jersey
- Relocation: Julie shares her journey from living in New York City to moving to Bloomfield, New Jersey, influenced by friends and the desire for a different lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Community Influence: She mentions connections with other filmmakers in the area, including Carla Gutierrez.
Julie’s Documentary Journey
- Early Career: Julie discusses her beginnings in radio and her transition to television, including her work at Court TV and Dateline NBC.
- Legal Background: She completed a year of law school, which enhanced her understanding of legal issues and storytelling in documentaries.
Storytelling Techniques
- Documentary Style: Julie explains her approach to storytelling, emphasizing the importance of addressing challenges and finding creative solutions to present complex narratives.
- Examples:
- In Julia, she used letters to convey emotional depth.
- In Everybody, she incorporated historical footage to connect past medical practices with contemporary intersex activism.
Discussion on Everybody
- Intersex Issues: Julie highlights the documentary’s focus on the struggles faced by intersex individuals and the medical community’s historical treatment of them.
- Personal Stories: The film features interviews with intersex activists who share their experiences and advocate for change.
The Path Forward: Themes and Goals
- Humanity and Grief: Julie emphasizes the film’s focus on recognizing shared humanity and the need to grieve collectively for the losses on both sides of the conflict.
- Advocacy: The film aims to amplify voices advocating for peace and understanding, moving beyond tribalism.
Conclusion
- Future Plans: Julie expresses hopes for screenings of The Path Forward on college campuses and emphasizes the importance of fostering dialogue around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Final Thoughts: Rachel and Janette thank Julie for her time and insights, encouraging listeners to engage with her work and the themes discussed in the episode.
