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My NDA: Film Exposes Silencing Power of Legal Gag
13 Mar
Summary
- Documentary explores the emotional toll of being silenced by NDAs.
- It features subjects breaking NDAs in industries like tech and media.
- Filmmakers aim to raise awareness about NDA misuse and abuse.
Actress Miriam Shor's new documentary, 'My NDA,' which premiered at the SXSW film festival, confronts the pervasive nature and silencing impact of non-disclosure agreements. Shor, who has signed NDAs throughout her career, was personally disturbed by an agreement that silenced her personal life, prompting her to explore the subject further. After extensive research and discussions with legal experts and individuals affected by NDAs, she decided to co-direct a feature film.
Shor partnered with director Juliane Dressner, initially skeptical about making a documentary centered on legal jargon. However, they discovered a compelling narrative by focusing on the first-person experiences of those facing the risks of breaking NDAs. The film deliberately adopts a personal perspective to illustrate how these agreements can be weaponized, moving beyond the often-reported reasons for their use, such as business disputes or misconduct settlements.
The documentary centers on three individuals from different professional backgrounds who decide to break their NDAs. These subjects include Ashley Kostial, who faced an NDA after a sexual assault at SAP; Ifeoma Ozoma, a whistleblower against racial discrimination at Pinterest; and Lachlan Cartwright, a former journalist who exposed the National Enquirer's "catch-and-kill" practices. The filmmakers followed their journeys over several years as they navigated legal processes, spoke with journalists, and advocated for legislative change.
During production, filmmakers faced challenges, including subjects withdrawing due to legal risks and one anonymized participant, "Jane," whose ongoing lawsuit necessitated her identity being concealed through voice and visual alteration. This tactic visually represents the many individuals stifled by NDAs. The directors' primary goal with 'My NDA' is to increase public awareness of the threat and widespread abuse of these agreements, emphasizing that their impact is universal, not limited to specific demographics or situations.
