The city of the Cleveland has a lead role in the new documentary "I Am Evidence," about the shocking number of untested evidential rape kits in the United States. Clevelanders can sign up to host a local watch party on the movie's website.
Mariska Hargitay is on a mission to shine a light on the staggering number of untested rape kits in the United States today. The documentary, which debuted last year at the Tribeca Film Festival, will premiere Monday, April 16 on HBO. In PEOPLE’s exclusive trailer, Hargitay proves she’s determined to raise awareness — and won’t back down.
HBO released its “I Am Evidence” trailer, which focuses on the large number of untested rape kits in the U.S. and the treatment of sexual assault survivors in the justice system. Produced by Mariska Hargitay, film premieres on April 16 on HBO.
As detailed in the Hargitay-produced documentary I Am Evidence — which will be screened Sunday, February 18, as part of the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival's third annual Winter Screening Series — rape-kit backlogs similar in scope to Detroit's were discovered in major cities around the country, including Cleveland; Memphis, Tenn.; and Los Angeles.
“I AM EVIDENCE” is all at once devastating and inspiring. Its ability to spur others to action led to its selection at OFF. "It is an important film that documents a non-partisan and outrageous situation,” said OFF head documentary programmer Mark Rabinowitz. “It should inspire men and women to action, regardless of political leanings.”
We’re starting out this week’s column with a clip from the forthcoming documentary by actress & producer Mariska Hargitay called ‘I Am Evidence’, tackling the rape kit backlog issue.
To say the year in politics has been a whirlwind would be an understatement. Expensive natural disasters ravaged great swaths of the country, immigration and tax reform provoked wicked political attacks from both the right and the left, and stark revelations from women exposed a culture of sexual assault that touches almost every industry. And that’s just been the last four months. In film, though, it was a year of fantastic documentaries that moved, inspired and challenged us. Here, our top perspective-changing films of 2017.
Horrifying and captivating, co-directors Trish Adlesic and Geeta Gandbhir’s documentary is so well put together that commenting on the technical aspect is close to impossible—I was too engaged in the message to notice the frame. The documentary runs 89 minutes, and it was only towards the end, when Adlesic and Gandbhir take their time to weave together and follow up with the storylines and interviewees, that I remembered to pay attention to the cinematic composition. That the camera, and the viewer, becomes one with the documentary is a testament to a documentary impeccably made.
If you believe in justice for the victims of sexual abuse, then make Mariska Hargitay’s HBO documentary - I AM EVIDENCE - coming to HBO in the next few months - a priority to watch. "As I sat and watched I AM EVIDENCE for the second time, it continued to pull on my heartstrings. IAE is storytelling at its best and I applaud all those in front and behind the camera. I hope this film gets all the justice it deserves!"
"I Am Evidence" is a searing, lucid film that never shies from tough details, especially when survivors share their attacks in a powerful bearing of witness. The film is also a legal thriller focusing on three American cities — Detroit, Cleveland and Los Angeles — grappling with tens of thousands of untested rape kits. Los Angeles is far behind the other cities in even addressing the issue.
