Interview with director of "Hot Coffee," Susan Saladoff

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

For a quarter-century, Susan Saladoff practiced law, representing people who had been injured by corporate negligence. Making a full-length feature film wasn't on her mind.

But in 2009, she stopped practicing law to make "Hot Coffee," which is in the U.S. Documentary Competition of the Sundance Film Festival.

The movie reveals what really happened to Stella Liebeck, the Albuquerque woman who spilled coffee on herself and famously sued McDonald's.

It also explores how and why the case gained so much attention, going on to spawn a million jokes from late-night comedians.

To read a Q and A with Susan, go to: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment/51073397-81/coffee-case-mcdonald-film.html.csp

— David Burger