Donald Trump has recently fulfilled a $5 million payment to journalist E Jean Carroll, a sum awarded by a federal jury in 2023 after finding Trump liable for sexually abusing her in the 1990s and subsequently defaming her by denying the allegations. This legal resolution forms the backdrop of "Ask E Jean," a documentary directed by Ivy Meeropol that profiles Carroll’s life and career, highlighting her battle against the former president.
Carroll, well known for her distinctive voice and sharp wit, rose to prominence in 1980s New York through her magazine journalism. She later became a notable advice columnist for Elle magazine, where her practical and candid guidance, mostly aimed at a female audience, gained her widespread recognition. The film captures Carroll's dynamic personality and the vibrant media scene of Manhattan both past and present, setting the stage for the deeply personal and legal struggle against Trump.
The documentary recounts the encounter between Carroll and Trump at Bergdorf Goodman, where Trump referred to her dismissively as “that advice lady,” an interaction Carroll initially perceived as banter. The sexual assault occurred shortly after this exchange, although Carroll did not disclose the attack for many years. Her decision to come forward in 2019 coincided with the #MeToo movement, following Trump’s public denial and derogatory comments about her. Carroll’s earlier silence is framed in the film as influenced by the societal pressures on women at the time to maintain an image of strength, underscored by her own reflections on vulnerability and empowerment.
While the $5 million award has been paid, Carroll was also granted an additional $83 million for defamation by a separate jury in 2023, a sum that remains unpaid and is currently under appeal. The documentary explores the wider repercussions of Carroll’s case, including the vitriol she endured from supporters of Trump after her legal victories.
Meanwhile, the Thai film "A Useful Ghost," directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, offers a fresh and inventive narrative blending supernatural elements with political allegory. The 130-minute film follows a “self-described academic ladyboy” named Wisaru Homhuan, who moves into a haunted apartment after acquiring a vacuum cleaner that becomes possessed by a poltergeist linked to the factory where it was manufactured. The film unfolds into a complex supernatural soap opera touching on themes of grief, spirituality, and political violence.
In particular, "A Useful Ghost" draws on traditional Thai beliefs about spirit possession while referencing real-world events, notably the 2010 massacre of antigovernment protesters. The haunted household objects and spectral interactions serve as metaphors for deeper social and political tensions, including the involvement of a senior politician connected to the deaths. Despite its fantastical elements, the story maintains a coherent internal logic and emotional weight, marking a remarkable debut for Boonbunchachoke. The film has been praised for its unique blend of humor, melancholy, and vivid imagination.
Both documentaries are currently screening in cinemas, offering distinct yet compelling perspectives—one on a high-profile legal and personal battle in the United States, the other on haunting political legacies in Thailand.