Drama
United States of America
Saint Judy is a biographical legal drama film directed by Sean Hanish and written by Dmitry Portnoy. The film tells the story of Judy Wood (played by Michelle Monaghan), an immigration lawyer who takes up the case of an Afghan woman seeking asylum in the United States due to the persecution she faced in her home country. Judy initially faces difficulty in convincing the court that women in Afghanistan face grave danger and that her client's life is in danger.
Judy Wood sees her situation as an opportunity to change the fate of thousands of women who flee persecution in their homelands. Her challenge is to convince the courts to recognize that women who are victims of domestic violence can be qualified for asylum in the United States, despite strict asylum laws in the country.
With perseverance, courage, and resilience, Judy takes the case to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where she argues that being a victim of domestic violence should qualify women seeking asylum as they face similar danger and persecution as those based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Her appeal becomes a landmark case, which leads to a transformation of asylum laws across the United States, benefiting the lives of many women.
The film provides an inside look at the struggles and victories of an immigration lawyer fighting for justice in a corrupt legal system. The film also highlights the disparities in the asylum laws, where women who are persecuted based on domestic violence or forced marriage are often denied asylum due to legal technicalities.
The film is a tribute to the courage of Judy Wood and immigrant women who face persecution and violence in their countries and seek asylum in the United States in search for a better life. Its message of hope and the power of perseverance make Saint Judy a must-see for everyone who aspires to break the barriers on women’s rights and immigration reform.
