Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with Oscar-nominated documentary director Julie Cohen to explore her career in network TV journalism and filmmaking. The conversation covers Cohen's path to power as a storyteller, highlighting her work on films about Pauli Murray, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Julia Child. Cohen shares insights into her acclaimed projects, including:

• RBG (2018), the documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which gained widespread recognition.
• My Name is Pauli Murray (2021), the film on the groundbreaking but lesser-known civil rights activist and attorney.
• Every Body (2023), a documentary about the intersex rights movement and personal narratives.

The episode also highlights Julia Child's pioneering influence on television and women's roles in professional kitchens. Cohen discusses Child's legacy as a feminist figure and the impact of her political activism, particularly regarding reproductive rights and HIV/AIDS awareness. Julie Cohen actively promotes her latest documentary, The Path Forward (2024). The Power of Storytelling in Documentaries

• Why she chose to spotlight Pauli Murray, RBG, and Julia Child
• Challenges in structuring historical narratives into compelling film stories
• Overcoming obstacles in starting and funding documentary projects

Julia Child's Television Legacy

• How Julia Child revolutionized TV cooking shows
• The impact of her work on modern food media figures like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray
• Her hidden activism and why her political legacy is often overlooked
• The feminist undertones in Child's career and influence on women in professional kitchens

Behind the Scenes of Every Body (2023)

• How Cohen approached the intersex rights movement in her documentary
• Personal stories shared in the film and their broader significance

Julie Cohen's Films:

• Julia (2021): https://imagine-entertainment.com/documentary/julia/
• The Path Forward (2024): https://deadline.com/video/the-path-forward-trailer-julie-cohen-mo-husseini-documentary/
• My Name is Pauli Murray (2021): https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/15/my-name-is-pauli-murray-review-the-legacy-of-a-fearless-campaigner
• RBG (2018): https://www.magpictures.com/rbg/
• Every Body (2023): https://www.focusfeatures.com/every-body

To book a screening of A Path Forward : https://grasshopperfilm.com/(grasshopperfilm.com) . By Spring 2025, it will be available on paid streaming channels, including Apple+.

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