Synopsis

​ In her 20s, Joan Baez was the undisputed queen of folk music, the first person to recognize Bob Dylan's talent and record his songs, and the first to use her fame to fight for equal rights, justice, and against the Vietnam War. This fascinating documentary follows Baez from her early days living in San Mateo County to her 2018/2019 “Fare Thee Well” tour, a retrospective of her tumultuous journey. We hear about her unique life of art and activism, as well as her complicated family history.

Program Note

​ The film opens with the famous quote by Gabriel García Márquez, "Everyone has three lives: a public life, a private life, and a secret life." There is Joan Baez, who, at the age of 18, swiftly rose to become a global star after making a powerful impression at the Newport Folk Festival. However, this film delves not into Joan Baez's life as a formidable musician but into her secret life, haunted by memories of childhood abuse. The truth of these memories remains elusive, as it is perhaps closer to the truth to accept that all memories are inherently flawed. Nevertheless, the serene countenance of her old age, having emerged from the dark tunnel of her past, offers comfort in itself. (Maeng Soojin)

Director

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  • Miri Navasky
  • Award-winning filmmakers Karen O'Connor and Miri Navasky have worked together for over 20 years making powerful and provocative documentaries that personalize complex social issues. Their films have won numerous awards, including the Banff award, the Robert F. Kennedy Grand Prize for Journalism, the duPont-Columbia Award, and the Emmy.
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  • Maeve O'Boyle
  • Maeve O'Boyle is an Emmy-award winning filmmaker. Her work includes The Education of Mohammad Hussein (HBO), shortlisted for an Academy Award. O'Boyle's other award-winning work has premiered at TIFF, IDFA, FullFrame, Hot Docs, Sheffield Doc/Fest, BFI, and AFI Docs and has broadcast on HBO, PBS, BBC, ZDF, ARTE, Netflix, and Apple TV.
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  • Karen O'Connor
  • Award-winning filmmakers Karen O'Connor and Miri Navasky have worked together for over 20 years making powerful and provocative documentaries that personalize complex social issues. Their films have won numerous awards, including the Banff award, the Robert F. Kennedy Grand Prize for Journalism, the duPont-Columbia Award, and the Emmy.