Care across divides: militant abortion and film around the Veil Law

Abstract

ABSTRACT During the years that preceded the legalisation of abortion in France by la loi Veil in 1975, feminists and activist doctors provided women alternative modes of reproductive care and advocacy. Militant and documentary filmmakers captured these developments in films such as Y’a qu’à pas baiser ! (Carole Roussopoulos and Vidéo Out, 1971–1973), Histoires d’A (Charles Belmont and Marielle Issartel, 1974) and Regarde, elle a les yeux grand ouverts (Yann Le Masson, 1982). While reframing abortion as an act of care and self-governance for women and their families and communities, filmmakers strive to both expand access to and increase safety in abortion practices, while arguing their significance in the socio-economic and political landscape of 1970s France.