Watch Chances: The Women of Magdalene

The movie Chances: The Women of Magdalene is a documentary film that tells the compelling and inspiring story of the Magdalene community, a residential program in Nashville, Tennessee, that offers a safe haven and a fresh start to women who have survived lives of prostitution, addiction, and abuse. The film follows the lives of several women who have found solace and support in this community and are determined to rebuild their lives and reclaim their dignity.

The film is directed by Susan Hébert and was released in 2006. It features the founder of the Magdalene community, Becca Stevens, and a cast of women who have been through the program and are willing to share their stories. The film is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of community.

The documentary opens with a brief introduction of the Magdalene community and its mission. The audience is introduced to Becca Stevens, a minister, and the founder of the program. Becca shares her own story of abuse and how it led her to start the Magdalene community. She talks about how she wanted to create a safe space for women to heal from their traumas and break free from addiction and prostitution.

The film then transitions into telling the stories of the women who have been through the program. We meet Brenda, a former prostitute who is now a successful entrepreneur. Brenda talks about her life on the streets and the difficulties she faced in breaking free from her addiction. She credits the Magdalene program with giving her the support she needed to get on the path to recovery and success.

We also meet Angela, a woman who was sexually abused by her father and uncle as a child. Angela struggles with addiction and self-harm and finds solace in the Magdalene community. She credits the program with teaching her how to love and take care of herself.

The film also features the story of Linda, a woman who survived a childhood of abuse and neglect. Linda turned to prostitution as a way of coping with her trauma. She talks about her struggles to find a way out and how the Magdalene community gave her the support and structure she needed to rebuild her life.

Throughout the film, we see the women of Magdalene supporting each other and working together to rediscover their own worth. We see them participating in group therapy sessions, cooking meals together, and helping each other with daily chores. Their stories are heartbreaking, but also inspiring, as we witness their resilience and determination.

The film also explores the broader social and economic issues that contribute to the exploitation of women in prostitution. It highlights the need for a more compassionate and supportive approach to these women, rather than criminalizing them or treating them as disposable.

Overall, Chances: The Women of Magdalene is a powerful and moving documentary that sheds light on a little-known program that is making a big difference in the lives of women who have been through some of the worst traumas imaginable. By sharing the stories of these women, the film inspires us to believe in the power of community and the possibility of transformation.