Doc ‘Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue’ Official Trailer
by Alex Billington
June 19, 2025
Source: YouTube
“She never really got the credit that she deserved.” Red Barn Productions has debuted an official trailer for a documentary film titled Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue, opening this month. This premiered at the 2024 Montclair Film Festival last year, and it also played at the 2025 Santa Barbara Film Festival earlier this year. The film tells the story of Jule Campbell and her 32-year reign as editor of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, turning it into a media empire. Exploring changing beauty standards, feminism’s evolution, and interviews with Jule and supermodels she championed. The first Swimsuit Issue was published in 1964, with Jule handling the inital shoot with model Babette March. Through glimpses into her past, viewers gain a deep understanding of Campbell’s pioneering spirit, unwavering commitment to protecting the models she worked with, and her ability to balance the celebration of female beauty with ethical considerations. The doc also features appearances from Kim Alexis, Carol Alt, Tyra Banks, Christie Brinkley, Jule Campbell, MJ Day, Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson, Paulina Porizkova, Roshumba Williams, Stacey Williams, Cheryl Tiegs, and Walter Iooss. A fascinating doc about the legacy of the “Swimsuit Issue”.
Trailer for Jill Campbell’s doc Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue, from YouTube:
Jule Campbell navigates a sexist workplace while confronting accusations of objectification during her 32-year tenure as founding editor of the Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition. Unyielding in her pursuit of artistic excellence, Jule fortuitously launches mogul models & a mega-franchise. At 95 Campbell reflects on her legacy and impending mortality with the grace and intuition that guided her career presenting a fair and balanced portrait of a complex and fascinating woman and her controversial career. Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue is a documentary directed by American doc producer / filmmaker Jill Campbell, director of the docs Bernal’s Picasso: When Art Met Science, The Hamlet of Canfield Gardens, Mr. Chibbs, and Seat 20D. Produced by Jonathan Gray, Robert J. Lyons, Sharon Cooney Shuttleworth, and Jill Campbell. This initially premiered at the 2024 Montclair Film Festival last year. Beyond the Gaze will debut in select US theaters (first at NYC’s IFC Center) starting June 25th, 2025 this summer. Interested?