Freeheld

[Vanessa White]

Did any of you watch the Oscars? I have to say, my favorite night of television of the year.

Until last night, I had not heard a word about this film, "Freeheld". About a woman who was a police officer in NJ, and she and her partner were together several years. The police officer was diagnosed with cancer, and wanted her partner to receive her pension at the time of her death, and this documentary focuses on that fight. The title refers to "freeholders" who were a panel of men that were in charge of the decision to allow or not, for the partner to receive the benefits. It is being released on DVD this summer. It won best documentary last night at Oscars.

[Daniel]

But living a stone's throw away from where this story unfolded, we read about it in the paper and saw it on the news, blow by blow. I'm really glad that the film won best documentary. What those men did initially was shameful. And I have to say, they were shamed into changing their minds by the press coverage itself as well as the work of many individuals- nonetheleast of which were the words of the dying woman herself. Heartbreaking.

Bravo to the filmaker!

[tdogg]

I saw this win the Oscar, had no idea it was even made and never heard about it in the news. Now I HAVE to see this film. Awesome!

and that reminds me, I got to order my other documentary, For the Bible Tells Me So.

[Vanessa White]

I was googling about this movie after the Oscars, and came across the website for Cynthia Wade Productions, one of the producers. I sent her off an email to congratulate her, and she actually responded!!!! That is soooooo cool!! :)