The true story of immigration lawyer Judy Wood, who spearheaded a change in U.S. asylum law that saved the lives of tens of thousands of migrants from around the world.

Judy moves to Los Angeles with her son. She works in the immigration department and later starts her own law firm.

In her profession, she is confronted with various serious cases involving immigrants and officials who put obstacles in people’s way even when it is clear that a particular person needs a helping hand.

She takes on the case of Asefa Ashwari, a teacher from Afghanistan who fled the country as a rape victim and is seeking asylum.

Asefa’s case becomes complicated because telling the whole truth involves matters of life and honor. It doesn’t help that Judy sacrifices almost all her time for her client, including time she should be spending with her family.

A powerful drama about resilience and the determination to save the fates and lives of others. To some, the film may seem more pro-immigration than is healthy, but the case at the heart of the film was truly worthy of asylum.

Drama

USA, 2018, 106 min

Title in other languages: Svatá Judy / Saint Judy

Crew: Sean Hanish;

Cast: Michelle Monaghan, Leem Lubany, Common, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Ben Schnetzer, Gabriel Bateman, Waleed Zuaiter, Mykelti Williamson, Peter Krause;

Parents’ Guide

Several mentions of a woman being raped in prison and a partial description of the rape.

Women being beaten and having hard clumps of dirt thrown at them.

About 1 instance of the expression “damn.” 1 instance of “I swear.” Multiple instances of “Jesus.” 1 instance of the insult “he doesn’t have the balls.”

1 instance of drinking alcohol at a bar to the point of intoxication.

Judy lives as a divorced mother. 1 joke about being divorced.

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