RBG - is a 2018 American documentary film focusing on the life and career of the US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It portrays her life from her birth in Brooklyn NY, through her education and career as a law professor, her nomination to the Federal judiciary, and finally her nomination to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton.
RBG became a sort of a pop culture icon following two different developments: the first, was a change in the political balance of the US Supreme court, making her voice a minority, and mandating her to start writing strong opinions of dissent, defending the rights of women and other minorities; Second, was the book name Notorious R.B.G.: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (a nick name inspired by the name of a well known rap artist Notorious B.I.G.).
This is a fascinating documentary, for any one who has interest in the development of human rights in the US - in general, and women's rights - in specific. Moreover, it is an excellent documentary movie, which provides a broad historical and personal context, which gives the viewer and ability to appreciate the greatness of RBG.
However, the real question: why and to what extend this is a gerontological movie?
My personal answer is: definitely yes. There are two key reasons for this:
Firstly, the "hero" of the movie is an old woman. In this sense this is a classic "anti-ageist" movie, as it shows how "old age" is irrelevant for assessing the abilities and worthiness of any human being.
But secondly, and more importantly, in my view, this movie is a classic example of how social activism in old age can look like. In an American culture of youth - it is very surprising that an old, little, woman - can become a "pop icon" - through "young people"s" networks of facebook, Instagram, and other popular digital media. Who could have dream that and "old" Supreme Court Justice can become a role model for so many young people? In this sense, it is one of the more important gerontological movies that can be watched and taught: how older women and men can be role models for younger generations.
There is much more to be said for this great documentary, e.g. what the older persons civil rights movement can learn from RBG struggles for the rights of women.....
Watch it and let your students watch it as well.
2018
USA
Director: Betsy West & Julie Cohen