Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

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2:35

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

2025

1h 54m

Documentary

Music

Biography

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100%

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11 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

In 1965, Janis Ian, a 14-year-old singer-songwriter from New Jersey, wrote "Society's Child" about an interracial relationship. Recorded and released a year later, the song launched Ian's career, but its subject matter ignited controversy, even resulting in death threats. The fallout plunged Ian into an emotional tailspin--and yet a few years later she emerged from the ashes with an even bigger hit, "At Seventeen." Over six decades, Janis Ian gained ten Grammy nominations in eight different categories, saw her song "Stars" recorded by such luminaries as Nina Simone and Cher, and overcame homophobia, misogyny, and a life-threatening illness to produce an indelible body of work that continues to draw audiences around the globe. Featuring Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Jean Smart, Arlo Guthrie, Lily Tomlin, and Tom Paxton, among other icons.

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David Bianculli

NPR

05/15/2025

"Janis Ian: Breaking Silence" tells her story using several visual techniques, including animation and recreations. Not all of them work. But the best storyteller in this documentary is the artist herself.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

04/09/2025

Really an extraordinary film.

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Chris Klimek

Washington Post

04/04/2025

3/4

Varda Bar-Kar offers a conventional but still compelling synopsis of the iconoclastic singer-songwriter’s long career.

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Chelsea Alexandra

MovieJawn

Nov 23

Ian’s true voice, the one that mattered, has never been limited to her instrument. It lives in the courage to tell her story, to sing her truths, and to advocate for those without a platform.

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Olivia Haynie

The Forward

06/04/2025

Breaking Silence has a lot to offer both for those who already identify as Ian fans and those who may be discovering the singer for the first time. The film captures Ian’s personal story, exposing fans to parts of her family and romantic life.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

05/28/2025

Breaking Silence also feels padded with too much dramatic-reenactment material, never my favorite element in a documentary. Still, it is worthwhile as an imperfect-yet-welcome look at a significant career.

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FRANCIE L

@RT49268748 05/16/2025

I was profoundly moved by Varda Bar-Kar’s ‘Breaking Silence’, and was captured by its spell from beginning to end. It is a poignant, powerful, intimate journey into Janis Ian’s life and music….beautifully, skillfully crafted, and highlights her courage, artistry and impact on social change. The creativity and intelligence in this creation is a moving celebration of resilience and the power of speaking one’s truth.

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Alicia E

@RT18477411 05/09/2025

Outstanding! A candid look at an extraordinary life.

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emily s. s

@RT29771724 05/09/2025

This documentary is extraordinary! I enjoyed it tremendously.

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Paloma B

@palomabennett 05/08/2025

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence is a poetic and brilliant music documentary that captures the spirit of of the folk singer-songwriter.

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Vera C

@RT08714020 05/07/2025

Janis Ian fan, historian, film fan, whoever ... This is a beautiful film, recording the times of one the most significant songwriters of our times. You owe it to yourself to see. Infact, I owe it to myself to see again. Long live Janis!

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04/30/2025

A fantastically structured, fascinating look at the life and times of one of the best singer songwriters of a generation. She had Grammy wins or nominations in five decades, in genres from pop to jazz to spoken word. Her life was and is a reflection of the times and this film covers all of it. Even if you’ve, somehow, never heard of Janis Ian, this will intrigue you and likely send you off in search of her songs.

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Varda Bar-Kar

Director

Janis Ian

Self

Joan Baez

Self

Lily Tomlin

Self

Jean Smart

Self

Laurie Metcalf

Self

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Synopsis

In 1965, Janis Ian, a 14-year-old singer-songwriter from New Jersey, wrote "Society's Child" about an interracial relationship. Recorded and released a year later, the song launched Ian's career, but its subject matter ignited controversy, even resulting in death threats. The fallout plunged Ian into an emotional tailspin--and yet a few years later she emerged from the ashes with an even bigger hit, "At Seventeen." Over six decades, Janis Ian gained ten Grammy nominations in eight different categories, saw her song "Stars" recorded by such luminaries as Nina Simone and Cher, and overcame homophobia, misogyny, and a life-threatening illness to produce an indelible body of work that continues to draw audiences around the globe. Featuring Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Jean Smart, Arlo Guthrie, Lily Tomlin, and Tom Paxton, among other icons.

Director: Varda Bar-Kar
Producer: Varda Bar-Kar, Alessandra Pasquino, Brooke Wentz
Screenwriter: Varda Bar-Kar, Pierre Hauser
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Wild Rose Pictures, GroundStorm Media, American Masters Entertainment
Genre: Documentary, Music, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 28, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 29, 2025
Runtime: 1h 54m