Documentary film discussion on abortion “JACKSON THE PLACE WITH ONE CLINIC”

“Jackson The Place with One Clinic” is a true story of the intense struggle between abortion providers and extreme religious groups and conservative politicians. The story is told through three female characters: the director of an abortion service unit, a member of an anti-abortion group, and a single mother from a poor family. After the film screening, there was a discussion forum to talk about the issues presented in the film, connecting with the work of networks dealing with unplanned pregnancies in Thailand, with three speakers providing their opinions, summarized as follows:

Dr. Saipin Hatthirat Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital

“It is very challenging that the director can bring different perspectives from real events for us to see. The information from all three parties tries to be as neutral as possible. The clinic providing abortion services faces pressure from various challenges. Women with unplanned pregnancies face pressure in different ways. The group that does not want any abortions at all has an extreme approach.

What is particularly interesting is that this is the story of the only remaining abortion clinic in this state, while other clinics have been eliminated. Why is it still able to remain as the only one? This documentary was made to study that issue. And this is not a film that presents the story of just three groups of people, but we see the overall movement of abortion issues within the United States, which is structured by linking with religious and political beliefs. It shows that there is a large set of beliefs that dominate and pressure, making the lives of pregnant women even more difficult.

The film does a great job of drawing emotions from various groups, including opposing sides, and has many reflective angles. Both the angle of April, a woman with an unplanned pregnancy, with a life that has no choice, is poor, and does not follow the norm of having a family life, which is having a pregnancy before having a family. This reflects our belief and education system that says not to have sex until ready to have a family or ready to have children. Providing only one choice does not give women other options in life.”

Waraporn Chaemsanit, Women’s Health and Gender Justice Program

“Although the film gives equal space to all groups, if you watch it until the end, you will understand that the creators are likely on the side of supporting abortion rights. The film may not tell us directly but shows it through the portrayal of groups that support continuing pregnancies but cannot help women who are not ready to be pregnant, and the lives of those women who have no choice and must go along with having to continue the pregnancy, living a difficult life.

What is interesting is that the director can truly get into the lives of the people in the story. The film reflects perspectives that show us inequality in other dimensions, from characters of color, poverty, education. These surround the issue of abortion, apart from the legal or religious dimensions that other films of this genre tend to highlight.”

Tatsanai Khantayaporn, Path2Health Foundation “Watching this film makes us feel lucky that when we work on networks related to unplanned pregnancies or abortion, we do not separate ourselves into two sides. We do not call ourselves Pro-Choice but call ourselves Pro-Voice. It is Pro-Voice for women’s voices. Whatever women choose, we choose that path because we cannot judge their values. This is different from America, where there is no middle ground, only support or opposition to abortion. So, we feel lucky that our country has this.

In our country, all parties involved in abortion respect each other and accept that if they disagree with the other side, it’s okay, just do their best. But ultimately, the choice will be made by the woman with the problem. Watching this film and seeing the social context of America makes us proud of the work of the network that opens up something in the middle, which is our strength, and works with all sectors together. It shows that working on abortion issues, we must not abandon those who disagree. And what we have learned from the work of our network is that anyone who has experienced the life of a woman with an unplanned pregnancy will understand and see women as humans and forget about opposing abortion altogether.”