Janis Ian: Breaking Silence (2025)
March 28, 2025Release Date
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence (2025)
March 28, 2025Release Date
Network & Production Companies


Plot.
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.
Where to Watch.

Currently Janis Ian: Breaking Silence is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Fandango
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
Cast & Crew.

Janis Ian
Self

Joan Baez
Self

Jean Smart
Self

Laurie Metcalf
Self

Lily Tomlin
Self

Arlo Guthrie
Self

Tom Paxton
Self

Kye Fleming
Self

Don Dixon
Self

Varda Bar-Kar
Director / Writer / Producer

Pierre Hauser
Writer

Alessandra Pasquino
Producer

Brooke Wentz
Producer
Media.






Details.
Wiki.
Janis Ian: Breaking Silence is a 2024 American documentary film directed by Varda Bar-Kar that covers the life and career of singer-songwriter Janis Ian. Janis Ian: Breaking Silence examines Ian’s early success with her lightening rod song "Society's Child" in the 1960s, her enduring music career, and her rollercoaster life over six decades. It includes interviews with Ian, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Lily Tomlin, and Jean Smart. The documentary premiered at Doc NYC in November 2024 and was released theatrically in the United States on March 28, 2025, by Greenwich Entertainment.