The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization effectively reversing Roe v. Wade (Roe) and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey (Casey). Though the Supreme Court decision reversing Roe v. Wade was expected, the reality was more painful than a stomach punch. In anticipation of this decision, we also realized that we needed to turn our anger and grief into action.
As we grapple with the magnitude and reach of what this ruling means, Women Make Movies is making a selection of films available that shed light on the history of reproductive rights in the U.S. and set forth what’s at stake as abortion access is rolled back.
Join the Philadelphia Commission for Women and the Philly Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) for a Virtual Film Festival and discussion on What’s at Stake: Reproductive Rights on the Ballot.
What’s at Stake: Reproductive Rights on the Ballot Virtual Film Festival Schedule
June 29th—America’s War on Abortion
Two-time Emmy and Peabody award-winning filmmaker Deeyah Khan examines the erosion of reproductive rights in the United States, foregrounding the stories of those often forgotten in this ‘war’ who nonetheless find themselves on its frontline: impoverished women and women of color. (65 minutes)
July 6th—Fly So Far
A grave warning of how far state control of women’s bodies can go, FLY SO FAR follows Teodora Vásquez, who was sentenced to thirty years in a Salvadorean prison after she suffered a stillbirth.
(89 minutes)
July 13—Jane: An Abortion Service
This fascinating political look at a little-known chapter in women’s history tells the story of “Jane”, the Chicago-based women’s health group who performed nearly 12,000 safe illegal abortions between 1969 and 1973 with no formal medical training. (58 minutes)
July 20th—Abortion Helpline, This is Lisa
This Film by Barbara Attie, Janet Goldwater and Mike Attie tells the story of the Philadelphia Abortion helpline. Counselors field nonstop calls from women and teens who are seeking to end a pregnancy but can’t afford to, illustrating how economic stigma and cruel laws determine who has access to abortion in America. (13 minutes)
July 27th—Belly of the Beast
A film by Erica Cohn. Filmed over seven years with extraordinary access and intimate accounts from incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, this Emmy-winning documentary exposes a pattern of illegal sterilizations, modern eugenics and reproductive injustice in California prisons. (81 minutes)
August 3rd—62 Days
A film by Rebecca Haimowitz. 62 DAYS is an urgent examination of a growing trend of laws that seek to control a pregnant woman’s body. (29 minutes)
August 10th—Birthright: A War Story
A film by Civia Tamarkin. This film examines how women are being jailed, physically violated and even put at risk of dying as a radical movement tightens its grip across America. (100 minutes)
August 17th—I Had an Abortion
A FILM BY Gillian Aldrich and Jennifer Baumgardner. First person accounts of women who have had abortions. (55 minutes)
August 24th—With a Vengeance: The Fight for Reproductive Freedom
A film by Lori Hiris. This urgent and timely film is a history of the struggle for reproductive freedom since the 1960s, reflecting the wider history of the contemporary women’s movement. WITH A VENGEANCE is an empowering look at the strength and breadth of the current women’s movement which asks why current battles resemble those of the 60s. (40 minutes)
August 31st—Panel discussion with local abortion rights advocates
