A Question of Choice

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Lake of Fire
2006.  152 minutes. USA. Directed by Tony Kaye. Watchdate: 1/21/2012.
On the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, I watched this frightening but insightful documentary about abortion that actually gives a fair consideration of the morality of the issue without resorting to the false equivalence of "evenhandedness" when examining the political aspects of the same. The pro-life movement is based on patriarchal authoritarianism and the radical parts of it are totally nuts and at times, extremely dangerous. The movie doesn't pull any punches about that reality.

That being said, it does take seriously the philosophical questions that ask about what constitutes life, and the movie shows just enough footage of actual abortions to allow for a real discussion without becoming exploitative. Shot in stark black and white photography, there are a few shots that really stood out to me. It's definitely a thought provoking and worthwhile documentary.

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