Ahead of Time

Fearless and adventurous, Ruth Gruber defied tradition from the moment she became the world’s youngest PhD at the age of 20 in 1931. Gruber continued to make history throughout her trail-blazing career by becoming the first journalist to enter the Soviet Arctic and escorting 1000 Holocaust survivors from Naples to New York in a secret war-time mission in 1944. She covered the heart-wrenching ordeal of the refugees aboard the ship Exodus in 1947 with photographs that helped change the world.

A feminist before feminism, 99-years-old, Ruth Gruber has the same moxie and charm that propelled her incredible career.

Ahead of Time is the directorial debut of noted cinematographer Bob Richman (Academy-award winner An Inconvenient Truth, Academy-award nominee My Architect, The September Issue, and Metallica: Some Kind of Monster).

“A case study in pioneering feminist courage, ambition and individualism.” (Nick Schager, Time Out New York)

“[This] graceful documentary portrait directed by Bob Richman, illustrates just how extraordinary her life [subject Ruth Gruber] has been.” (Andy Webster, New York Times)

“Richman does a bang-up job with rare archival footage and new vérité interviews, even allowing for Gruber's acquaintances and their descendants to grill the still-sharp nonagenarian.” (Aaron Hillis, Village Voice)

In English and Hebrew with English subtitles.