Music documentaries, especially those of LGBTQ interest, continue to be very popular. In 2024 alone, there were several including “Let The Canary Sing” (about Cyndi Lauper), “Indigo Girls: It’s Only Life After All,” “Luther: Never Too Much” (about Luther Vandross), “Elton John: Never Too Late,” and “I Am Celine Dion.”
Opening in theaters in late March 2025, “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence” (Greenwich Entertainment) begins with a clip from the 1967 TV doc “Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution” in which the late bisexual music legend Leonard Bernstein sings the praises of Ian before and after she performs her groundbreaking song “Society’s Child.” That song, written and performed by Ian when she was only in her teens, was the first step in a celebrated career that lasted nearly 60 years until Ian was sidelined by scarring on her right vocal cord that brought her singing abilities to a tragic and untimely conclusion.
Directed and co-written by Varda Bar-Kar, “Janis Ian: Breaking Silence” is a long overdue tribute to Ian’s musical legacy as a songwriter and LGBTQ icon. From being 16 years old with a hit record to being called “the new Bob Dylan,” Ian’s story is never less than fascinating. Raised by civil rights activist parents, Ian’s social consciousness began in her formative years and continued throughout her life.
Not surprisingly, she experienced the highest of highs (a Grammy Award and nominations, multi-platinum status, writing hit songs for herself and others including Roberta Flack and Nina Simone) and the lowest of lows (homophobic slurs from Bill Cosby, marriage to an abusive man, the cataclysmic loss of her singing voice). Through it all, Ian remained resilient, resulting in marrying the love of her life, Pat Snyder (becoming the first same-gender couple to appear in the New York Times’ “Wedding Vows” column), and establishing her archives at Berea College.
The list of interview subjects for the doc is also incredibly impressive, and includes numerous legendary performers such as Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Joan Baez, Lily Tomlin, Laurie Metcalf, Jean Smart, Kathy Mattea, Marti Jones, and Don Dixon. We also hear from journalists Ann Powers, Anthony DeCurtis, James Reed, Stephen Holden, and music producers Brooks Arthur and Herb Jordan, as well as Ian’s longtime collaborator (and former life partner) Kye Fleming.
“Janis Ian: Breaking Silence” is not without its issues. For example, we briefly see present-day Janis at the piano early in the film. But we must wait until the 1:40 mark to see the current Janis again. Additionally, while Bar-Kar’s use of vintage footage is admirable, the numerous dramatic recreations of moments in Ian’s life are disruptive with some bordering on being cringey. Nevertheless, longtime fans, as well as newcomers, are sure to enjoy this well-deserved cinematic celebration of Janis Ian.
Rating: B
