Directors of Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary ‘RBG’: she’s a ‘pioneer,’ ‘groundbreaker’
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become something of an icon. Dubbed ‘the Notorious RBG’ by supporters as she gained notoriety among the American public, documentary film directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen had a suspicion that her fans didn’t know the whole narrative.
“And the thought was, ‘Someone should do a documentary about telling her full story,’” said Cohen. “And why shouldn’t it be us?”
West and Cohen, both former journalists, had previously interviewed Ginsburg for different projects. West called Ginsburg a “pioneer” and “groundbreaker” in fighting for women’s rights. There was something about her presence and commitment to advocating for gender equality that inspired the two to create a film which uncovered the woman behind the black robe.
"In this time when people are looking for role models in how to make change, how to be an activist, I think there's a lot to learn from her strategy,” said Cohen.
Ginsburg fully cooperated and approved of the making of the “RBG” documentary, but it wasn’t until its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival that Ginsburg first saw the film in its entirety. Cohen describes the experience of being at the screening with the Justice as initially “nerve-wracking.” The directors sat across the aisle from Ginsburg, allowing them to watch her reactions.
“As it went on, I think we started to relax because she was completely engrossed throughout—she laughed repeatedly, she pulled out a tissue and cried a number of times, including in an early scene of watching herself watching a beautiful opera duet that she loves,” said Cohen. “Wouldn't have occurred to us as being like an emotional point, as a strong emotional point, in the movie, but that really seemed to move her.”
After the Sundance viewing, West and Cohen were surprised when Ginsburg joined them on stage.
“Well after the screening, we called down our crew and then we sat down, Julie and I, to do a Q&A, and the first question was addressed to Justice Ginsburg—what does she think of the film? And, you know, she was in the audience,” said West. “Up she popped and down she came and took a chair and then took questions about the film and about her life."
Ginsburg’s impromptu appearance was not the only time she surprised the two. They were rewarded after working up the courage to ask the Justice if they could film her workouts.
“So, there’s a pause,” said West, “and then she said, ‘Yes, I think that would be possible.’”
It wasn’t until seeing her workout that West said she understood why Ginsburg had allowed them to film.
“Because yeah, she's an elderly woman who is keeping herself in very good shape to do the job that she loves and I think she's proud of this," said West.
Cohen agreed, adding that it was “not a work out that either of us felt we could have gone through at that point.”
The documentary shows Ginsburg’s determination in the gym, courtroom and home, and Cohen believes people can learn her strategy.
“From her, you know, always playing the long game, thinking through way in advance, like, not just what am I going to fight for today, but what are going to be the next eight steps that I'm going to fight for,” said Cohen. “Not getting discouraged when you have a setback, moving forward always, quietly, persistently—I think there's something for people to see from how she did it in battles that still need to be fought."
Ginsburg is the eldest of the Supreme Court justices, at age 85.
“RBG” shows in select theaters May 4.
“And the thought was, ‘Someone should do a documentary about telling her full story,’” said Cohen. “And why shouldn’t it be us?”
West and Cohen, both former journalists, had previously interviewed Ginsburg for different projects. West called Ginsburg a “pioneer” and “groundbreaker” in fighting for women’s rights. There was something about her presence and commitment to advocating for gender equality that inspired the two to create a film which uncovered the woman behind the black robe.
"In this time when people are looking for role models in how to make change, how to be an activist, I think there's a lot to learn from her strategy,” said Cohen.
Ginsburg fully cooperated and approved of the making of the “RBG” documentary, but it wasn’t until its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival that Ginsburg first saw the film in its entirety. Cohen describes the experience of being at the screening with the Justice as initially “nerve-wracking.” The directors sat across the aisle from Ginsburg, allowing them to watch her reactions.
“As it went on, I think we started to relax because she was completely engrossed throughout—she laughed repeatedly, she pulled out a tissue and cried a number of times, including in an early scene of watching herself watching a beautiful opera duet that she loves,” said Cohen. “Wouldn't have occurred to us as being like an emotional point, as a strong emotional point, in the movie, but that really seemed to move her.”
After the Sundance viewing, West and Cohen were surprised when Ginsburg joined them on stage.
“Well after the screening, we called down our crew and then we sat down, Julie and I, to do a Q&A, and the first question was addressed to Justice Ginsburg—what does she think of the film? And, you know, she was in the audience,” said West. “Up she popped and down she came and took a chair and then took questions about the film and about her life."
Ginsburg’s impromptu appearance was not the only time she surprised the two. They were rewarded after working up the courage to ask the Justice if they could film her workouts.
“So, there’s a pause,” said West, “and then she said, ‘Yes, I think that would be possible.’”
It wasn’t until seeing her workout that West said she understood why Ginsburg had allowed them to film.
“Because yeah, she's an elderly woman who is keeping herself in very good shape to do the job that she loves and I think she's proud of this," said West.
Cohen agreed, adding that it was “not a work out that either of us felt we could have gone through at that point.”
The documentary shows Ginsburg’s determination in the gym, courtroom and home, and Cohen believes people can learn her strategy.
“From her, you know, always playing the long game, thinking through way in advance, like, not just what am I going to fight for today, but what are going to be the next eight steps that I'm going to fight for,” said Cohen. “Not getting discouraged when you have a setback, moving forward always, quietly, persistently—I think there's something for people to see from how she did it in battles that still need to be fought."
Ginsburg is the eldest of the Supreme Court justices, at age 85.
“RBG” shows in select theaters May 4.