TV Cooking Show Pioneer Julia Child feat. Julie Cohen

Cynthia Bemis Abrams sits down with Oscar-nominated documentary director Julie Cohen to explore her career in network TV journalism and filmmaking. The conversation covers Cohen’s path to power as a storyteller, highlighting her work on films about Pauli Murray, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Julia Child.

Cohen shares insights into her acclaimed projects, including:

RBG (2018), the documentary about Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, which gained widespread recognition.
My Name is Pauli Murray (2021), the film on the groundbreaking but lesser-known civil rights activist and attorney.
Every Body (2023), a documentary about the intersex rights movement and personal narratives.

The episode also highlights Julia Child’s pioneering influence on television and women’s roles in professional kitchens. Cohen discusses Child’s legacy as a feminist figure and the impact of her political activism, particularly regarding reproductive rights and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Julie Cohen actively promotes her latest documentary, The Path Forward (2024).

The Power of Storytelling in Documentaries

Why she chose to spotlight Pauli Murray, RBG, and Julia Child
Challenges in structuring historical narratives into compelling film stories
Overcoming obstacles in starting and funding documentary projects

Julia Child’s Television Legacy

How Julia Child revolutionized TV cooking shows
The impact of her work on modern food media figures like Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray
Her hidden activism and why her political legacy is often overlooked
The feminist undertones in Child’s career and influence on women in professional kitchens

Behind the Scenes of Every Body (2023)

How Cohen approached the intersex rights movement in her documentary
Personal stories shared in the film and their broader significance

Julie Cohen's Films:

Julia (2021): https://imagine-entertainment.com/documentary/julia/
The Path Forward (2024): https://deadline.com/video/the-path-forward-trailer-julie-cohen-mo-husseini-documentary/
My Name is Pauli Murray (2021): https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/sep/15/my-name-is-pauli-murray-review-the-legacy-of-a-fearless-campaigner
RBG (2018): https://www.magpictures.com/rbg/
Every Body (2023): https://www.focusfeatures.com/every-body

To book a screening of A Path Forward : https://grasshopperfilm.com/(grasshopperfilm.com) . By Spring 2025, it will be available on paid streaming channels, including Apple+.