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Credits: Co-Producer, Cinematographer
When she was a young lawyer, Kholoud Al-Faqih walked into the office of Palestine’s Chief Justice and announced she wanted to join the bench. He laughed at her. But just a few years later, Kholoud became the first woman judge to be appointed to the Middle East’s Shari’a (Islamic law) courts. THE JUDGE offers a unique portrait of Judge Kholoud—her brave journey as a lawyer, her tireless fight for justice for women, and her drop-in visits with clients, friends, and family. With unparalleled access to the courts, THE JUDGE presents an unfolding vérité legal drama, with rare insight into both Islamic law and gendered justice. In the process, the film illuminates some of the universal conflicts in the domestic life of Palestine—custody of children, divorce, abuse—while offering an unvarnished look at life for women and Shari’a.
World Premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Broadcasted on PBS 2019. Website
Directed + Produced by: Erika Cohn
Broadcast: PBS/Amazon
Awards:
2018 Peabody Awards-George Foster Peabody Award
2018 News and Documentary Emmy Awards-Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary Nomination
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