Extraordinary Women: Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

She was a slip of a girl who took on the prejudices of a nation through her art. When she was just 14, singer-songwriter Janis Ian wrote “Society’s Child” about the taboo subject of interracial romance. When the song was released a year later in 1966, it was banned from some radio stations; Janis received hate mail and death threats; her performances were disrupted. And yet, young as she was, she had the conviction and strength to stand up to the backlash.

Another of Janis’s big hits was “At Seventeen,” a song that captures the cruelty, the illusions and the vulnerability of adolescence. It won her a Grammy in 1976 for Best Pop Vocal Performance – Female.

We are thrilled to announce that Janis will be joining us on Zoom for a Q&A following the screening of the 2024 documentary Janis Ian: Breaking Silence Sunday, June 29, at 12:00 pm at the Revue Cinema.

Also joining us for a Q&A is guest expert Rob Bowman, music historian, producer and the “rock ‘n’ roll” professor who introduced the study of pop music to Canadian universities.

In 1993, Janis once again challenged society’s norms. After the release of her album “Breaking Silence,” she came out as a lesbian. In 2003, she married her partner of more than a decade in Toronto.

Says Rob: “Janis Ian is important for having the courage to write about such significant issues as interracial marriage, women’s rights, the Holocaust and breaking the silence around being gay. At the same time, she has managed to have her songs recorded by such divergent artists as Bette Midler, Mel Torme, Roberta Flack, Cher and Nina Simone. Her impact has been singular and immense.”

The documentary, Rob says, is “not to be missed.” And meeting Janis on Zoom is an opportunity to be treasured!

Watch the trailer.

This event is part of the Extraordinary Women series, presented with the Revue Cinema by Back Lane Studios, an arts not-for-profit in Roncesvalles Village. Proceeds go to support Back Lane’s programs and projects.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS! 

Part of the Extraordinary Women series!

Cast/Crew Info
Director: Varda Bar-Kar | Cast: Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Jean Smart, Laurie Metcalf, Lily Tomlin