I Am Evidence (HBO)

About I Am Evidence (HBO)

"I Am Evidence" is a powerful documentary that was released by HBO in 2018. The focus of the film is on the shocking number of untested rape kits in the United States and the horrifying fact that, in a lot of cases, the crime labs, police departments, and prosecutors who are responsible for the testing of these kits neglect their duties. The documentary follows four survivors whose rape kits were included in the hundreds of thousands of untested kits.

Making / Production

The film counters these grim statistics by introducing part of the Detroit team that is working to complete testing on the city’s backlog of kits. This exploration is led by Kym Worthy, the first African American and first woman to hold the post of Wayne County Prosecutor. The documentary was directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Trish Adlesic, and produced by the Emmy and Academy Award-winning actress, Mariska Hargitay, who is a highly vocal advocate for rape victims and survivors.

Actors

• Kym Worthy: Playing herself, she is the relentless Wayne County Prosecutor leading the crusade to process the tests and provide justice for the victims.
• Mariska Hargitay: Also playing herself, Mariska invokes her advocacy role off-screen for sexual assault victims. She serves as a producer and interviewee, encouraging candid, empathic talks with the victims whose cases are profiled in the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The title, "I Am Evidence," is a direct quote from survivor and activist Helena, who states in the film: "I am evidence that regardless of what happens to you, you can get through it. You can move past it. You can grow. You can change for the better."
• Mariska Hargitay, the film's producer, is best known for playing Detective Olivia Benson on “Law and Order: SVU”. She started the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 to help survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Awards

"I Am Evidence" was awarded the “Audience Award for Best Documentary Film” at the Provincetown International Film Festival in 2017.

Quotes

• "I am evidence that regardless of what happens to you, you can get through it. You can move past it. You can grow. You can change for the better." - Helena
• "We are failing as a society when we leave a rape kit untested." - Kym Worthy

Music, Soundtrack

• The music for "I Am Evidence" was composed by Wendy Blackstone, a composer of original scores for film and television who has scored seven Academy Award-nominated films.