The Devil Is Busy

A person wearing a face mask and a safety vest stands in front of a brick building and looks toward the left with eyebrows furrowed.

NEW DOCS

This intimate portrait of an Atlanta abortion clinic offers an unflinching look into the daily realities of both providing and accessing reproductive healthcare in a climate of intense hostility. At the heart of the film is Tracy—the clinic’s head of security, whose day begins before dawn—and her unwavering commitment to the staff and patients’ safety. The film highlights the precarious journeys many women undertake, traveling for hours from states where abortion access is either restricted or nonexistent. A woman of faith who begins each day with prayer, Tracy’s commitment to these women’s right to choose is absolute. She fiercely protects their access to safe and dignified care, shielding them from the relentless harassment of the protesters outside. With an unadorned, process-oriented approach, The Devil Is Busy functions on multiple levels: as an immersive slice of life, a testament to the resilience of those providing care, and a stark indictment of women’s increasingly limited access to abortion in the United States.  PB

Q&A following screening.

Directors

Christalyn Hampton, Geeta Gandbhir

Producers

Soledad O'brien, Rose Arce, Amber Fares

Editor

Tristan Nash

Cinematographers

Mikenzie Lewis, Amber Fares

Release Year

2024

Festival Year

2025

Country

United States

Run Time

31 minutes