Not Going Quietly

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Not Going Quietly
A man hugs a child. Below them is the same man with a sign that says, "Don't take our healthcare", standing beside a cop.
Promotional release poster
Directed byNicholas Bruckman
Written by
  • Nicholas Bruckman
  • Amanda Roddy
Produced byAmanda Roddy
Cinematography
  • Alex Pollini
  • Ryder Haske
  • Amanda Roddy
  • Michael Dwyer
  • Erin Collett
  • Nicholas Bruckman
Edited byKent Basset
Music byGiosuè Greco
Production
companies
Distributed byGreenwich Entertainment
Release dates
  • March 17, 2021 (2021-03-17) (SXSW)
  • August 13, 2021 (2021-08-13) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Not Going Quietly is a 2021 American documentary film, directed by Nicholas Bruckman and produced by Amanda Roddy, following Ady Barkan, embarking on a national campaign for healthcare reform. Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass and Bradley Whitford serve as executive producers.[2]

It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 17, 2021, where it won the Special Jury Award for Humanity in Social Action and the Audience Award in the Documentary Feature Competition.[3][4] It was released on August 13, 2021, by Greenwich Entertainment.

Synopsis

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After being diagnosed with ALS, Ady Barkan embarks on a national campaign for healthcare reform. Barkan, Rachael King, Elizabeth Jaff, Ana Maria Archila, Nate Smith and Tracey Corder appear in the film.

Production

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The film was directed by Nicholas Bruckman, who co-wrote the film with producer Amanda Roddy. Kent Bassett served as editor. Executive producers included Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, and Bradley Whitford. Produced by People's Television and Duplass Brothers Productions, it received fiscal sponsorship from Film Independent. Filming centered on Ady Barkan's 2018 midterm activism, capturing his advocacy and ALS challenges, including declining speech.[5]

Release

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It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 17, 2021.[6] It was scheduled to have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 15, 2020.[7][8] However, it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] It was theatrically released in the United States by Greenwich Entertainment on August 13, 2021.[10] Internationally, the film was distributed by Vice Media. In June 2021, PBS acquired broadcast rights, airing the film as part of the POV series on January 24, 2022.[11] It became available for streaming on platforms including Hulu.[12]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 24 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "Not Going Quietly uses its subject's remarkable story to offer an uplifting tribute to the way an individual voice can lead to activism and collective change."[13] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 73 out of 100, based on nine critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[14]

Nick Allen of RogerEbert.com called the film "A pure shot of inspiration."[15] John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter called it "A stirring tale of activism."[5] Tomris Laffly of Variety wrote: "An emotionally stirring, politically rousing doc."[16]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2021 South by Southwest Audience Award Nicholas Bruckman Won [17]
Special Jury Award Won [18]
Cleveland International Film Festival Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award Won [19]
ALMA Award Best Jewish Documentary Won
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary Ady Barkan Won [20]
2022 Cinema Eye Honors The Unforgettables Won [21]
International Documentary Association Best Feature Nicholas Bruckman Nominated [22]
Best Writing Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Social Impact Media Awards Lens to Action Won [23]
Cinema for Peace awards Political Film of the Year Won [24]
2023 News and Documentary Emmy Awards Outstanding Writing: Documentary Nicholas Bruckman, Amanda Roddy and Nominated [25]
Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary Nicholas Bruckman and Amanda Roddy Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Not Going Quietly". South by Southwest. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  2. ^ Nichols, Mackenzie (April 15, 2020). "Duplass Brothers, Bradley Whitford to Executive Produce 'Not Going Quietly' Documentary". Variety. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  3. ^ "SXSW Film Festival: 'The Fallout' and Docu 'Lily Topples the World' Among Jury Award Winners". 19 March 2021.
  4. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (2021-03-23). "SXSW Film Festival Audience Award Winners: 'Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free', 'The Fallout' And 'Not Going Quietly' Among Honorees". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  5. ^ a b "'Not Going Quietly': Film Review - SXSW 2021". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  6. ^ Day-Ramos, Dino (February 10, 2021). "SXSW Film Festival Unveils Full Lineup; Charli XCX Quarantine Feature To Close Fest; Tom Petty Docu Set As Centerpiece". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  7. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (March 3, 2020). "Tribeca Sets Feature Lineup Of Films For 2020 Fest". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  8. ^ "Not Going Quietly". Tribeca Film Festival. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
  9. ^ Beresford, Tribly; Lewis, Hilary (March 12, 2020). "Tribeca Film Festival Postponed Amid Coronavirus Fears". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  10. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 12, 2021). "Greenwich Entertainment Acquires North American Distribution Rights To 'Not Going Quietly'; Will Release Ady Barkan Doc In August". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandria (June 7, 2021). "PBS 'POV' Acquires 'Not Going Quietly', Adds Nicholas Bruckman Doc To Season 34 Lineup". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  12. ^ "Hulu To Stream 'Not Going Quietly,' Doc On Activist Ady Barkan Who Hasn't Let ALS Quell His Fighting Spirit". deadline.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  13. ^ "Not Going Quietly". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  14. ^ "Not Going Quietly". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  15. ^ "SXSW 2021: Clerk, Not Going Quietly, Tom Petty: Somewhere You Feel Free". rogerebert.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  16. ^ "'Not Going Quietly' Review: An Emotionally Stirring, Politically Rousing Doc About Tireless Healthcare Activist Ady Barkan". variety.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  17. ^ "2021 Audience Award Winners". sxsw.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  18. ^ "2021 Jury and Special Award winners". sxsw.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  19. ^ "Cleveland International Film Festival announces 2021 award winners". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  20. ^ "'Summer of Soul' Sweeps Critics Choice Documentary Awards". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  21. ^ "The 15th Annual Cinema Eye Honors Winners". austinb.media. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  22. ^ "Nominees Revealed for the 37th Annual IDA Documentary Awards". documentary.org. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  23. ^ "2022 SIMA Award winners". cinemawithoutborders.com. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  24. ^ "Cinema for Peace Awards 2022". cinemaforpeace-foundation.org. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  25. ^ "44th News and Documentary Emmy Awards" (PDF). theemmys.tv. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
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