• Release year: 2025
• Directors: Alison Cornyn and Heather Greer.
• Producers: Alison Cornyn and Heather Greer.
• Cinematography by: Robert Gregson.
• Music by: Christopher Pattishall and Samora Pinderhughes.

Shotgun Commentary: the type of film that makes you wonder if chemical castration shouldn’t be a more common occurrence.

Review

Hilda O. vs. The State of New York is a short film that highlights a pandemic that keeps getting ignored despite its constant presence throughout our history: sexual violence towards women.

While both genders can be victims of sexual abuse, it is significantly more common for women to be on the receiving end. And vastly more common for men to be in the role of the perpetrator. The documentary showcases the aftermath of the horror and a glimpse of hope for a better future. One where victims are heard and supported instead of questioned and disrespected.

The horror

For all those of you who did not know, the film informs you of the following crucial context: “The New York Child Victims Act, passed in 2019, opened a brief window to allow victims of SA for whom the statute of limitations had lapsed to get their day in court.”.

This should be a brief window, it should be a wide-open door. One could argue for or against the general idea of a Statue of limitation as much as one wants. Yet, in terms of sexual assault, it is hard to argue the need for it. If the victims are never free from their pain, their perpetrators should never be free from the law.

There are still countries in the world where SA is not considered a crime. Where the blame falls on their victims for “provoking” their assailants. In fact, even if you happen to live in a country that recognises SA, there is a high chance that you’ll have to face a long, painful legal process there your testimony will be put in question, people will try to make you look like the instigator of your own assault, and defence lawyers who will ask ridiculously sexist things like “what were you wearing?”.

The heroes

Cases like that of Gisèle Pelicot, Nevenka Fernández, Shiori Itô and countless others are an inspiration for all women to come forward. Sadly, they are also a warning about the ruthless path ahead. The path you must walk if you decide to open your mouth and speak the truth. Documentaries like this are a reminder of the good the law can do if it is passed thinking of the people. Thinking of the victims that need compensation and closure, rather than on the powerful who need their dirty deeds hidden.

Hilda Onley is the protagonist of this documentary. She is an old woman who got abused when she was just a girl by the very man in her all-girls school that was supposed to protect her and take care of her. Like all SA survivors, she is an absolute hero for fighting for her truth and to get her pain officially recognised. She is a brave soul that should’ve never been put in that position in the first place. Like all other victims of this heinous crime.

The story

The documentary showcases Hilda’s charisma and wonderful personality, as well as how her trauma still affects her life decades later. She doesn’t sugarcoat what happened or how she feels about it. Her honesty and bravery being absolute inspiring. In just a few minutes, you come to adore her and her quirkiness, which only highlights the wrath you feel at the thought of someone hurting her so profoundly for no reason at all. It is moments like those that make you choose the bear over the man every single time.

Hilda O. vs. The State of New York is a superb work. Short and to the point, as all documentaries should be. It shines a light on a pandemic that is still very much present, in the most straightforward way possible. Exposing the horrors as well as the path to healing and the possibility of a better future where, at the very least, sex offenders are held accountable for their actions.

Hilda O. vs. The State of New York was part of the Raindance Film Festival 2025 programme. Find all the info here!

Advice to take from this movie:

• Coming forward is the only way to get predators away from their hunting grounds. It is painful, but necessary.
• The laws are for everyone, not just the elites.
• The Statue of limitation is in, indeed, limited.

What’s your take? Have you watched Hilda O. vs. The State of New York? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀