Testimonials

“Saturday’s launch of Irene Angelico and Abbey Neidik’s new documentary, First to Stand at the Cinéma du Musée was a beautifully orchestrated and emotionally charged event. Playing to an enthusiastic full house, the captivating, fast-paced movie tracks former Justice Minister Cotler’s battles in defence of people who have been victimized for fighting against repressive regimes… The film, the filmmakers, the responses by Cotler and these courageous women, who all handled questions with modest brilliance, drew several standing ovations.”
— Maurie Alioff, film journalist/critic

“Captivating new documentary! First to Stand: The Cases and Causes of Irwin Cotler is the latest from the dynamic Montreal spousal filmmaking team of Irene Angelico and Abbey Neidik.”
— Bill Brownstein, The Montreal Gazette

“A great film. Absolutely captivating!”
— Duke Eatmon, CBC

“With their new film about Irwin Cotler, married Montreal filmmakers make a stand for human rights”
— Brad Wheeler, The Globe and Mail

“…thrilled there was such a good reception to this great work.”
— Amal Clooney, human rights Barrister

“We spend a lot of energy dealing with the villains of the world, but hardly any time celebrating the heroes. Irwin Cotler is one of the greatest heroes of our time. He’s taken on some of the most intractable dictators and saved some of the most unjustly imprisoned hostages. I hope that everyone will watch First to Stand and become familiar with his inspiring commitment to justice.”
— Bill Browder, financier, activist and creator of Magnitsky Sanctions

“An extraordinary new documentary.”
— Mike Cohen, Cohen in the City

“What an evening! What a tribute to Irwin! What a tribute to you. What a fantastic reception! Standing ovations! You did a fantastic job.”
— Beverly Shaffer, Academy Award winner

“You have gone and done it again! What a wonderful, brilliant film!… it is so well illustrated in the stories of the incredibly courageous individuals who risked everything to stand up for their rights. So inspiring. And for change to happen, how essential it is for others to support these brave individuals, which of course, is what Cotler does so well and why his Institute matters …this is a really, really extraordinary, and important film.”
— Terre Nash, Academy Award winner

“Lawyer Irwin Cotler travels the globe to defend political prisoners, journalists, and those threatened by genocide. One imagines his goals to be unattainable; yet, when we see he gets results, we’re left speechless. An awe-inspiring portrait by the courageous documentary filmmakers Irene Angelico and Abbey Neidik.”
— Gyuri Unger, International Award-Winning Filmmaker

“…a superb documentary.”
— Greer Fay Cashman, The Jerusalem Post

“A wonderful film… a totally inspiring man!”
— Joyce Borenstein, Academy Award nominee

“Congratulations on an important, engaging, and wonderful film! I hope it inspires many to learn and to act.”
— Alice Herscovitch, Government Relations, musée de l’Holocauste Montréal

“I was captivated by Abbey and Irene’s latest doc. Well done!!!”
— Irwin Block, journalist

“Extraordinary film about an extraordinary man!”
— Fran Rishikof, former sales executive, Astral Media and Bell Media

“…wonderful, painful, heartfelt. Just terrific.”
— Sandy Climan, owner, Bibliophile Bookstore

“Incredible achievement!”
— Tamara Boness, Dawson College

“That is a fabulous film!”
— Susan Palmer, sociologist, Concordia University

“A brilliant depiction of democracy in action. Cotler himself continues to change the world, one human rights searchlight at a time. Amazing stuff.”
— Suzane Ayscough, Journalist and Communications Director

“Superb… Must see and experience… Elevates us and reminds of our common humanity.”
— Marilyn Cooperman

“…in all honesty and candor, I have never been as moved by a film. Epic in scope and ambition, I can understand why Irwin Cotler chose you to make a film honoring the cause of human rights. Not only a legacy for Irwin Cotler, but to the hundreds and hundreds of people who stand with him. You are great artists. You can rest easy about this film. It will endure. Congratulations!!”
— Michael Schlesinger, Fulbright Scholar