Brave Miss World Explained

Brave Miss World
Director:Cecilia Peck
Starring:Linor Abargil
Editing:Inbal B. Lessner
Distributor:Netflix
Runtime:88 minutes

Brave Miss World is an 2013 American-Israeli documentary film, directed and produced by Cecilia Peck. It follows Miss Israel Linor Abarjil who won the title of Miss World in 1998, after being assaulted just weeks prior, as she spreads global awareness around sexual assault. Sharon Stone served as a co-executive producer on the film.

It had its world premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival on April 10, 2013. It had a theatrical release on November 15, 2013, followed by digital streaming on Netflix on May 29, 2014.

Synopsis

In 1998, Linor Abargil won the title of Miss World, a beauty pageant after being sexually assaulted weeks prior. Abargil raises global awareness around sexual assault. Joan Collins and Fran Drescher also appear in the film.[1]

Cast

Production

Linor Abargil began meeting with directors to encourage victims of sexual assault to speak out, seek help, and seek justice, and began meeting with film directors in Los Angeles, and met with Cecilia Peck, after seeing her previous film .[2] [3] Abargil always wanted to make a documentary in order for people not to feel alone and to reach more people than she could in person, taking her 10 years to gain the courage.[4] The film was shot over the course of five years, as Abargil traveled the world giving speeches and meeting with victims of assault.[5] [6] Peck initially thought the film would be a quick shoot, but production paused several times in order to raise additional money, and the process was difficult for Abargil, also upon discovering her assaulter had been furloughed.[7] [8] In attempt to raise more money, the crew edited a trailer and launched an Indiegogo campaign, apart from asking friends and family for donations, before eventually securing the funds to continue production.[9] Sharon Stone serves as a co-executive producer on the film.[10]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival on April 10, 2013.[11] It also screened at the AFI Docs Film Festival on June 21, 2013.[12] The film was released in a limited release on November 15, 2013, as part of an awards qualifying run for the Academy Awards.[13] Shortly after, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film and released it on May 29, 2014.[14]

Impact

The producers of the film launched a website bravemissworld.com to share their stories of assault and to keep up with Abargil as she continues to raise awareness having over 10 million visitors on the website.[15] The film also screens on college campuses across the United States to continue to raise awareness of sexual assault.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: It's Not Easy To Talk About Rape" Her.ie Chats To "Brave Miss World" Director Cecilia Peck. Her. Sue. Murphy. 26 May 2014 . November 8, 2020.
  2. Web site: An Interview with Cecilia Peck: The 'Brave Miss World' Interview. The Aquarian Weekly. Kam. Williams. April 6, 2016. November 8, 2020.
  3. Web site: DOC NYC Women Directors: Meet Cecilia Peck. Women and Hollywood. Women. and Hollywood. November 19, 2013. November 8, 2020.
  4. Web site: An Interview with Linor Abargil: The 'Brave Miss World' Interview. The Aquarian. Kam. Williams. February 17, 2016. November 8, 2020.
  5. Web site: Cecilia Peck's 'Brave Miss World' watches a rape victim transform. Los Angeles Times. Susan. King. November 14, 2013. November 8, 2020.
  6. Web site: Cecilia Peck '80: A Filmmaker With a Mission. Princeton University. Michael. Goldstein. November 8, 2017. November 8, 2020.
  7. Web site: One Woman's Mission To Help Survivors Of Sexual Assault Heal. NBC News. Maria. Shriver. May 29, 2014. November 8, 2020.
  8. Web site: A Conversation with the Makers of 'Brave Miss World'. Vice. Alison. Stevenson. April 2, 2014. November 8, 2020.
  9. Web site: 'Brave Miss World' tells rape victim's journey of hope. The Pittsburgh Post. Barbara. Vancheri. March 31, 2014. November 8, 2020.
  10. Web site: A Beauty Queen With More Guts Than Glitter. Haaretz. Galia. Lacht. November 24, 2013. November 8, 2020.
  11. Web site: Fearless documentary Brave Miss World gives rape victims a voice. Dallas Culture Map. Dallas. International Film Festival. April 10, 2013. November 8, 2020.
  12. Web site: Brave Miss World: Behind The Scenes On A Seriously Harrowing Documentary. Marie Claire. Marie. Clare. January 5, 2016. November 8, 2020.
  13. Web site: Film Review: 'Brave Miss World'. Variety. Alissa. Simon. November 12, 2013. November 8, 2020.
  14. Web site: 'Brave Miss World': Linor Abargil on Her Journey From Rape Victim to Beauty Queen to Activist. The Daily Beast. Linor. Abargil. April 29, 2014. November 8, 2020.
  15. Web site: Urging rape victims to speak out. The Jewish Standard. Lois. Goldrich. March 7, 2019. November 8, 2020.
  16. Web site: Israeli Miss World's anti-rape crusade goes global. The Associated Press. Aron. Heller. March 21, 2014. November 8, 2020.