The Janes

A sobering, inspiring look at quiet heroism under threat, mixing archival footage and testimony into a tense but warm act of remembrance.

Directed by

Emma Pildes, Tia Lessin

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Heather Booth, Judith Arcana, Marie Leaner

Tagline

They didn't have a choice.

Overview

Defying the state legislature that outlawed abortion, the Catholic Church that condemned it, and the Chicago Mob that was profiting from it, the members of “Jane” risked their personal and professional lives to support women with unwanted pregnancies. In the pre-Roe v. Wade era — a time when abortion was a crime in most states and even circulating information about abortion was a felony in Illinois — the Janes provided low-cost and free abortions to an estimated 11,000 women.

How it feels

Earnest, tense, uplifting and dark. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Justice, power, gender, crime

Content

Mild violence, gore, sexual content and language.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)