Heather Shaner is a lifelong public defender living and working in Washington, DC. Her more than forty years of experience have put her in the room with everyone from repeat drunk drivers to muggers to murderers. You’d think there wouldn’t be many things left to surprise such an experienced and successful defense lawyer, but fate has a way of throwing curveballs. Shaner, an outspoken progressive and long-time Democrat, is informed that she will be defending several people who took part in the Capitol invasion on January 6, 2021. For the first time in her career, she’s not sure if she can meet her clients where they are, but –hard-headed as ever– Shaner meets the challenge with her chest held high.
Public Defender is a fascinating documentary. Its obvious political slant may dampen general appeal in some places (as well as provoke “of course you have blue hair and pronouns” jokes), but for those interested in the legal process and court cases, this will be an easy hurdle to jump. How the documentarian managed to get such intimate contact with all of its subjects is astounding. While very pop-doc in its styling, Public Defender serves as an incredible glimpse into the world of misinformation and populist culture wars, almost an exposé. It cuts through the noise, centering on the idea that we are all people, and the things that divide us are much smaller and less important than we are led to believe.
Library patrons or students interested in the events of January 6th will have a vested interest in watching this documentary. Public Defender would also be an interesting addition to introductory law classes: I don’t think I’ve ever seen such an excellent non-fiction examination of the moral and political challenges that face defense lawyers in America, especially public defenders. Library patrons who enjoy law dramas may also be interested in Public Defender. Highly Recommended.
Where does this documentary belong on public library shelves?
Public Defender is a versatile documentary that can appeal to different audiences depending on the community it serves. If your public library caters to a community with broadly liberal views, consider placing the documentary on the political documentary shelves. The film’s examination of the legal and moral complexities faced by a public defender during the politically charged aftermath of January 6th would resonate well with audiences interested in political and social issues. However, if your library serves a more diverse or politically neutral community, the documentary would be best placed among law documentaries. Its focus on the legal process and the challenges faced by defense lawyers, particularly in high-profile and contentious cases, makes it an excellent resource for those interested in the legal system, irrespective of their political leanings.
What kind of college instructor could use this title?
Public Defender would be an invaluable educational resource for college instructors teaching introductory law courses. The documentary provides a rare and intimate look at the moral and political challenges that public defenders in America face, making it an ideal case study for students beginning their legal education. Professors could use this film to start discussions on the ethical dilemmas of defending clients involved in politically charged cases, the role of personal beliefs in the practice of law, and the impact of societal divisions on the legal system. Additionally, instructors in courses focused on political science, ethics, or American studies might also find the documentary useful for exploring broader themes of justice, democracy, and the legal implications of political movements.
What is the current pricing for educational institutions interested in this film?
$199
To learn more about Public Defender, click here to visit the official website
Click here to read the Press Kit for the backstory of Public Defender
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Director’s Bio:
Andrea Kalin is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of Spark Media, a production company dedicated to programs with a social conscience. Kalin’s storytelling has earned her over 100 awards and honors, including a Primetime Emmy, two Gracies, a CHRIS Award, and Golden Globe and WGA nominations. Her work has been shown theatrically and at film festivals around the world, including Hot Docs, Woodstock Film Festival, and Human Rights Watch Film Festival, and is distributed by global broadcasters and streaming platforms such as Smithsonian, MTV, HBO, PBS's WORLD Channel, Amazon, Apple TV, Tubi and Deutsche Welle. Her latest film, SCATTERING CJ, premiered at the Camden International Film Festival and aired on PBS in September 2022. She has produced 12 feature documentaries and scores of advocacy shorts. Kalin's debut documentary, PARTNERS OF THE HEART, aired on PBS's “American Experience,” won the Erik Barnouw Award for Best History Doc, and is part of the NEH50, a list of the most culturally significant projects funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Kalin seeks unexpected, gripping human stories that shape who we are and how we see our world. Her spirited storytelling inspires audiences and sparks imagination.
Filmography:
Public Defender (2024), Scattering CJ (2019), First Lady of the Revolution (2016), Red Lines (2014), No Evidence of Disease (2013), Worlds of Sound (2009), Soul of a People (2009), Allah Made Me Funny (2008), Prince Among Slaves (2007), The Pact (2006), Partners of the Heart (2003)
Director’s Statement:
Making Public Defender was an eye-opening journey for me, shedding light on the incredible relationship I discovered between a liberal public defender in Washington, DC, and her clients involved in the January 6th Capitol riot. This film became a deep dive into how Americans, divided by a wide political chasm, can confront their differences and find common ground.
In these times, when societal divisions feel almost insurmountable, with right-wing extremism creeping into Congress and authoritarianism on the rise, we wanted Public Defender to highlight the crucial role of personal responsibility and the transformative potential of engaging with opposing viewpoints.
This project pushed me to examine my own preconceptions and consider how we might contribute to division or help foster understanding. Filming real-life interactions that challenged and sometimes changed our film’s participants emphasized the urgent need for narratives that not only reflect our complex realities but also offer ways to navigate them.
Public Defender invites us into a conversation about staying engaged and proactive in a system that often seems designed to silence and separate us. It’s about cutting through the disinformation and embarking on the sometimes painful, yet necessary process of narrative change.
I hope this film inspires you to create safe spaces for meaningful dialogue, paving the way for a more understanding and democratically engaged community. This isn't just a film; it's a personal call to reflect, discuss, and act.
Awards:
- Winner, Mountainfilm Commitment Grant
- Moving Mountains Award, Mountainfilm
- Best Life and Liberty Film, Sidewalk Film Festival
- Jury Award Winner, Frozen River Film Festival
- Special Mention, SIMA Awards
Festival and Special Screenings:
- George Washington University
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Washington DC
- The Washington Center
- Mountainfilm
- DC/DOX Film Festival
- Indy Shorts International Film Festival
- San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
- Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival
- Sidewalk Film Festival
- Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival
- Bend Film Festival
- Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
- Dialogues Documentary Film Festival
- Global Peace Film Fest
- LA Femme International Film Festival
- Frozen River Film Festival
- SPE Media Festival
Partners:
Pulitzer Center https://pulitzercenter.org
Interfaith America: https://www.interfaithamerica.org
Living Room Conversations: https://livingroomconversations.org
Program on Extremism at GWU: https://extremism.gwu.edu
The Media and Peacebuilding Project: https://mediapeaceproject.smpa.gwu.edu
Outreach Initiative:
Inspired by the Heather’s commitment to use education as a tool for justice, Public Defender has launched a book drive initiative for prison libraries. By donating books, participants provide a vital resource that supports educational and personal growth within state and federal prison libraries. Learn more at https://www.publicdefenderfilm.com/impact
Social Media Handles:
Twitter: @PDdocumentary @sparkmedia
Facebook: @publicdefenderfilm @sparkmediafilm
Instagram: @publicdefenderfilm @sparkmediadc