Abortion Helpline, This Is Lisa

NEW DOCS

Limited to a set sum of funds they can disburse, serene counselors at a women’s health fund in Philadelphia answer calls from women and teenage girls seeking financial help in ending their pregnancies when they cannot afford the procedure. Intercut with C-SPAN footage of the passing of the Hyde Amendment—which strategically thwarted access to abortion for low-income women—are despairing pleas for solutions. As the camera films over the shoulders of various staff members during their shifts, it lingers on the computer, showing brief typed notes from their discussions and the diminishing amount of money remaining. In an office where the phone incessantly rings and hope is hard to maintain, the workers seek to ease the economic barriers of this oppressive American law.  KR

Directors

Barbara Attie, Janet Goldwater, Mike Attie

Producers

Barbara Attie, Janet Goldwater, Mike Attie

Editors

Valerie Keller, Sharon Mullally

Cinematographer

Mike Attie

Release Year

2019

Festival Year

2020

Country

United States

Run Time

13 minutes

Subtitled

No