I was finally able to view the much anticipated documentary by Martha Shane and Lana Wilson, After Tiller. The documentary was released September 20th, but with limited showings in limited cities. I hoped that the film would come close enough to Western Ma. for me to make the trip. Luckily REAL ART WAYS CINEMA in Hartford, CT will be showing After Tiller until Thursday, Nov.14th. I strongly encourage everyone to to go and view this film.
The premise behind After Tiller is a behind the scenes look centering around the four remaining late-term abortion doctors left in the United States after George Tiller was murdered. Dr. Tiller was targeted by anti-abortion zealots, specifically the nationally known organization Operation Rescue for much of his career.He was shot five times in 1993 by an anti-abortion extremist and was murdered with a single gun shot to the forehead while serving as an usher in church in 2009 in Wichita, Kansas. All four doctors, Susan Robinson, Shelly Sella, Leroy Carhart and Warren Hern knew Tiller as a colleague, mentor and friend.
While all of the Doctors are well spoken and compelling, Susan Robinson comes across as especially poignant and relatable. When she speaks to her motivation for providing late-term abortions she says, "What really got me interested was when they started shooting doctors." She goes on to say that there are two possible reactions when dealing with bullies, shying away and becoming quiet or sticking your neck out and fighting back, she aligns herself with the latter option. It is Dr. Robinson who utters some of the films simplest and most memorable quotes such as, "Of course you don't want an abortion, nobody wants an abortion" and my personal favorite, "You have choices, they all suck."
The documentary aims to make no other point than to demonstrate the complex reality behind third trimester abortions. The women are not monsters who were too lazy to obtain a first or second trimester abortion. There are very real variables which come in to play with third trimester abortions such as fetal anomalies, economic and or geographic factors and the mental and physical well being of the mother. The film drives home the point that these Doctors are all people, each patient has different circumstance and no single law or judge can determine what "should" happen to women, their offspring and their families. While the documentary is certainly not opposed to anyone changing their mind on the subject matter- that clearly isn't the goal of the film. Is it unbiased? No, it isn't. The film asks at a base level that you hold your judgement and condemnation at bay, view women as the most important human beings first and look at each circumstance on an individual level- in return After Tiller presents you with real women and real stories that are both complex and heart breaking.
One women in just such a situation offers this sentiment: "It's guilt no matter which way you go. Guilt if you go ahead and do what we're doing or if you bring them into this world and then he doesn't have any quality of life." After Tiller asks that you let the women and the doctors decide the impossible and hope you aren't ever put in the same situation. After Tiller demonstrates the reality that there are those who are put in that situation every day. Unfortunately, there are and will continue to be women who find out that a very wanted pregnancy is going to end in a death and I think they should have the respect and dignity afforded to them to dictate the circumstance of that death. Will there always be a doctor to safely and legally guide them through the process? There are many who hope not but as Dr. Leroy Carhart states in the film, "If I just give up and stop doing anything after twenty weeks some women may get desperate and do things on their own, this is something that needs to be done."
After Tiller will be playing in Hartford CT. until Nov.14th and general admission is $10. For more information and screenings at other locations visit After Tiller
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