Most Americans support the legal right to abortion, and people of all backgrounds have abortions, so why is it such a polarizing issue? Why do those who oppose abortion have so much influence and momentum, if they are such a small part of the population? “Battleground,” a documentary exploring these questions and the fight for reproductive justice in the US by Cynthia Lowen, has received distribution. A press release announced that the US rights to the Tribeca 2022 title have been acquired by Abramorama and ROCO Films. It will be screened in theaters, virtual cinemas, schools, corporate boardrooms and non-profit spaces, with Together Films and Red Owl staging a complementary impact campaign.
“This June, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending 50 years of constitutional protections for abortion in the United States. How did we get here, when 7 out of 10 Americans support access to legal abortion? the synopsis says. “’Battleground’ is an urgently timely window into the intersection of abortion and politics in America, following three women who lead formidable anti-abortion organizations to witness the enormous influence they wield. As the nation faces the end of Roe, the film also shows those on the front lines of the fierce fight to maintain access. ‘Battleground’ is required viewing for anyone interested in the future of abortion in America.”
“Early in production I realized that I wanted to explore this topic by going deeper into the anti-abortion movement, to find out who the anti-abortion people are, what they believe, how they organize, what their goals are and how they operate. in political arenas,” director Lowen told Women and Hollywood. “I soon discovered that many of the stereotypes about the anti-choice movement, namely that all ‘old white men’ want to control women’s bodies, were being challenged.” She continued: “I started following three women who are prominent leaders of the anti-abortion movement, and witnessed that a large part of the movement is young, female, digitally savvy, tapped into cultural and social spirits, highly politically connected and willing. do whatever it takes to get what they want.”
Lowen produced the document along with his “Netizens” collaborator Rebecca Stern. Nancy Novack (“All In: The Fight for Democracy”) is the editor, and Nicole Shipley (“A Private War”) and Ruth Ann Harnisch (“The Hunting Ground”) are among the executive producers.
“We are at a profound turning point in American history, when people are confronted with the devastating reality of living in a post-Roe nation. Together with Abramorama, ROCO and our impact teams, I am thrilled to bring ‘Battleground’ to audiences across the United States, to underscore how much is at stake in the upcoming election and what the loss of abortion rights means for all of us.” Lowen stated. . “This film and campaign is about the erosion of our democracy, and what it takes to bring it back.”
Lowen previously directed and produced “Netizens,” a documentary about the misogynistic harassment women so often experience online. She received a PGA Award and two Emmy nominations for “Bully,” a documentary about the bullying crisis that she wrote and produced.
