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'Saint Judy' Brings Justice to the Spring KCET Cinema Series on February 19

By Allison Gray
February 13, 2019
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Q&A immediately following with director Sean Hanish and writer Dmitry Portnoy.

"Saint Judy" tells the inspirational true story of immigration attorney Judy Wood (Michelle Monaghan) and her fight that changed American asylum law forever. The Law of Asylum is the last hope for refugees fleeing deadly persecution. It is designed to protect minorities, so they must first prove they belong to a specific group: chiefly racial or ethnic, or religious or political. Though they suffer persecution, women don’t clearly fit any of those categories, and because of that, judges did not used to consider women’s rights as qualified political activity.

In her first case, Judy represents a woman forced to flee her home country after being persecuted by the Taliban for opening a school for girls. While juggling her life as a single mother, Judy fights tenacious battles in and out of court and her drive gives a lesson in how legal principles affect living people. This case has saved the lives of thousands of other persecuted women around the world. "Saint Judy" is not just the story of one case: it portrays an entire hidden segment of the legal system that decides the fates of millions; and the judges and lawyers on both sides trying to find justice for human beings. Like "Erin Brockovich," "Saint Judy" tells the story of a remarkable woman who overcame tremendous odds and reminds us how one person can change the world. The film’s supporting cast includes: Alfred Molina, Common, Peter Krause, Alfre Woodward and Leem Lubany.

The film screens at 7:00 p.m. at the ArcLight Cinemas in Sherman Oaks. Immediately following the screening, Deadline’s chief film critic Pete Hammond, who can also be seen on KCET’s Must See Movies, will moderate a Q&A session with director Sean Hanish and writer Dmitry Portnoy. “Saint Judy” will be released by Blue Fox Entertainment on March 1, 2019.

Deadline.com is the presenting sponsor for the spring season of the KCET Cinema Series, which runs February 5 through March 26. The Arclight Cinemas Sherman Oaks is located at 15301 Ventura Blvd and nearby parking is available.

To learn more about the series call 201.747.5238.

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