Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down

Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Produced by
  • Lisa Espramer
  • Sam Jinishian
CinematographyDyanna Taylor
Edited byIlya Chaiken
Music byMiriam Cutler
Production
companies
Distributed byBriarcliff Entertainment
Release dates
  • March 12, 2022 (2022-03-12) (SXSW)
  • July 15, 2022 (2022-07-15) (United States)
Running time
97 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$134,098[2]

Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down is a 2022 American documentary film directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West. It follows Gabrielle Giffords as she recovers from the 2011 shooting.

It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 12, 2022. It was released on July 15, 2022, by Briarcliff Entertainment.

Premise

The film follows the recovery and aftermath of the 2011 assassination attempt of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords becomes partially paralyzed and has a language impairment aphasia.

Production

Initially, the film was set to follow Gabrielle Giffords as she toured the country to support her cause, but was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] Mark Kelly provided the filmmakers footage of Giffords recovery, which he shot while she was in the hospital.[4]

In January 2022, it was announced Julie Cohen and Betsy West would direct a documentary film revolving around Gabrielle Giffords, with CNN Films and Time Studios set to produce.[5]

Release

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 12, 2022.[6] Shortly after, Briarcliff Entertainment acquired distribution rights to the film, and set it for a July 15, 2022, release.[7] The film premiered on CNN on Sunday, November 20, 2022.[8]

Reception

In the United States and Canada, the film earned $75,124 from 302 theaters in its opening weekend.[9]

Critical response

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 100% based on 47 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's consensus reads, "Inspirational and unabashedly political, Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down pays passionate tribute to its resilient subject."[10]

References

  1. ^ "Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down". South by Southwest. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "Gabby Gifford Won't Back Down". The Numbers. Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  3. ^ Kohn, Eric (March 12, 2022). "Gabby Giffords and Senator Mark Kelly on Gun Violence and Turning Their Survival Story Into a Movie". IndieWire. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Welk, Brian (March 12, 2022). "'Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down' Directors Talk Congresswoman's 'Inspiring' Rehab From Brain Trauma (Video)". The Wrap. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  5. ^ Lang, Brent (January 26, 2022). "'RBG' Filmmakers Betsy West and Julie Cohen to Direct Gabby Giffords Documentary". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  6. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 2, 2022). "SXSW's Lineup For Return To In-Person Festival Includes Movies With Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage, Pete Davidson, Rose Byrne & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  7. ^ Johnson, Ted (April 19, 2022). "Briarcliff Entertainment Acquires Betsy West-Julie Cohen Documentary 'Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  8. ^ "GABBY GIFFORDS WON'T BACK DOWN Premieres for TV Sunday, November 20". cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com. 2022-11-14. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022.
  9. ^ "Domestic 2022 Weekend 28". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  10. ^ "Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 21, 2024.