Call Jane: Biopic about a collective of women who help other women have abortions in the 1960s, when abortions were illegal in the U.S.
Film plot and background
“Pregnant? Insecure? Call Jane.” This was the slogan with which the “Jane Collective”, a humanitarian institution by women for women operating from the underground, operated in Chicago in the 1960s. At that time, abortions were still punishable by law, but many women, especially from poorer areas, saw no chance of raising a child without worry.
It’s different for housewife Joy (Elizabeth Banks): she wants nothing more than a second child. When the pregnancy finally works out, however, there are some complications – should she give birth to the child, she endangers her own health. Only the underground network “The Janes” can help her. There she meets Virginia (Sigourney Weaver), who, along with a number of other women, picks up the phone under the alias “Jane” to give the women a choice on the subject of pregnancy and, if push comes to shove, to perform an abortion herself.
“Call Jane” – Real background
In 1965, student and activist Heather Booth received a call for help from an acquaintance who became unintentionally pregnant. She referred her to a doctor who could help with a safe abortion. Over time, more and more women turned to her for help, Heather always giving the alias “Jane” so as not to attract attention in the days when abortion was still illegal.
Soon the calls increased, she found women who supported her in her work and mediation. The “Jane Collective” was born. Over time, the women themselves learned how to have a safe abortion and helped especially poor women. In 1972, seven women were arrested in a raid. Each one was to receive a maximum prison sentence of 110 years, about ten years for each of the abortions safely performed.
Luck of the draw was the Supreme Court’s result in the Roe vs Wade case in 1973, according to which abortions performed in the first trimester of a pregnancy were finally legitimised. According to this, women have a right to privacy and the power to decide about their own bodies. The charges against the “Janes” were dropped, and the Jane Collective disbanded shortly afterwards.
“Call Jane” – Cast, theatrical release
Directed by Phyllis Nagy (screenplay of “Carol”), this drama was based on a true story. The star-studded cast includes Elizabeth Banks, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Mara, Wunmi Mosaku as well as Chris Messina and John Magaro.
The world premiere of “Call Jane” will take place at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2022, before “Call Jane” competes for the Golden Bear in competition at the Berlinale 2022 in February. The German theatrical release of “Call Jane” is on 1 December 2022.
Between the world premiere and the German cinema release, the landmark court decision “Roe v Wade” was overturned by the majority conservative US Supreme Court. As a result, abortions are once again illegal in many US states.
