Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

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Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

Released Mar 28

1h 54m

Documentary

Music

Biography

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8 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

"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.

May 15, 2025

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

Really an extraordinary film.

Apr 9, 2025

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Chris Klimek

Washington Post

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

Rated: 3/4

Apr 4, 2025

Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

There’s a lot to enjoy in this documentary, although it’s also overly long at 114 minutes, and includes way too many re-enactments...

Rated: 6/10

Apr 29, 2025

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Beandrea July

FilmWeek (LAist)

The visuals didn't really match up to the story, but it's a necessary and beautifully rendered of an artist.

Apr 9, 2025

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

The music is amazing, and Ian’s story, while unheralded, is fantastic.

Mar 28, 2025

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FRANCIE L

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

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Alicia E

Outstanding! A candid look at an extraordinary life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/09/25

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emily s. s

This documentary is extraordinary! I enjoyed it tremendously.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/09/25

Full Review

Paloma B

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/08/25

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Vera C

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/30/25

Full Review

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Varda Bar-Kar

Director

Janis Ian

Self

Joan Baez

Self

Lily Tomlin

Self

Jean Smart

Self

Laurie Metcalf

Self

Janis Ian: Breaking Silence: Trailer 1

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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

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