For immediate release – May 13, 2019
This Mother’s Day, a new film project launched, documenting 50 years of legal abortion in Canada. The Missing Project documents what Canadians miss when they ignore the issue of abortion.
On May 14th, 1969, Parliament legalized abortion, but few films have shown the impact of this change on Canadians.
The Missing Project marks the anniversary of the 1969 law by sharing 50 stories of Canadians from across the country, Canadians who have been affected by abortion over the last 50 years. These stories capture the wide range of people affected by abortion, from women who’ve chosen abortion, to adopted children, to political activists involved in shaping the law.
“We call the documentary, ‘The Missing Project’ because so much of the abortion discussion is now missing from public spaces,” says documentary maker, Ryan Stockert. “We’re told that abortion is a private decision and so no one else should be involved. But as I’ve talked to Canadians across the country, it’s clear the stories of Canadians affected by abortion have to be heard.”
Stockert says the 50 stories he collected will be released one at a time, starting on Mother’s Day. A new 5-10 minute video biography will be shared every day for the next 50 days, until Canada Day, when the full documentary will be released.
Natalie Sonnen, one of the producers of the film, says the film will tell stories that few others are sharing. “Women tell us they were given incomplete abortion information before choosing abortion; Men grieve lost fatherhood; and, of course, millions of Canadian children’s lives have ended with abortion. This documentary will ensure their stories are no longer missing.”
Mike Schouten, another producer, hopes that the 50 stories will add to the growing support for a legal framework surrounding abortion. “Canada is the only democracy in the world with no fetal protection laws. Abortion impacts 100,000 women, children and families every year. This does not serve Canadians well and we will continue to mobilize people to advance protections for the smallest members of the human family.”
For more information on The Missing Project, contact:
Natalie Sonnen
Phone: 604-442-4867
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: lifecollective.io/lifecanada
Mike Schouten
Phone: 778-321-2457
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.weneedalaw.ca
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