Watch Abortion: Stories Women Tell

Abortion: Stories Women Tell is a 2016 documentary film that explores the subject of abortion in the United States. The film is directed by Tracy Droz Tragos, who previously directed the award-winning documentary Rich Hill. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and went on to receive critical acclaim for its honest and compassionate portrayal of women who have had to make the difficult decision to terminate their pregnancies.

The film follows several women in Missouri, a state that has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country. Missouri only has one abortion clinic in the entire state, and the film shows the difficulties that many women face in getting the care they need. The women in the film come from a variety of backgrounds and have had different experiences with abortion. Some have had abortions because of health reasons, others because they weren't ready to become mothers, and still others because they were victims of rape or incest.

The film does not take a political stance on abortion and does not try to argue for or against the procedure. Instead, it simply presents the stories of the women who have had abortions and the impact that their decision has had on their lives. Through the film, viewers are able to see how complex and emotional the issue of abortion is and the importance of allowing women to make their own choices about their bodies.

One of the strengths of the film is its focus on the voices of the women themselves. The film features interviews with the women and shows them going about their daily lives. We hear their stories in their own words and see how abortion has affected them and those around them. The film also features interviews with clinic workers who provide abortions and who describe the challenges they face in trying to provide care to women in a hostile political environment.

Another important theme of the film is the impact of abortion restrictions on low-income women and women of color. Missouri requires women seeking abortions to wait 72 hours after their initial consultation with a provider, which can be a financial burden for many women who have to take time off work and pay for transportation and childcare. The film also shows the impact of the state's mandatory counseling law, which requires women seeking abortions to be told that the procedure will terminate the life of a separate, unique, living human being. These laws not only make it harder for women to access abortion care but also add to the stigma surrounding the procedure.

Overall, Abortion: Stories Women Tell is a powerful and important film that sheds light on the real experiences of women who have had to make the difficult decision to have an abortion. The film is honest, compassionate, and respectful of the women it portrays. It is an important reminder of the complex and often emotional nature of the abortion debate and the need to allow women to make their own choices about their bodies.

Abortion: Stories Women Tell is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 78.