The 8th
Aideen Kane, Lucy Kennedy and Maeve O’Boyle, 2020, Ireland, USA, Colour, 94 mins, Certificate: 12A
We are celebrating Women’s History Month this March with a rare big-screen performance of an eyeopening, essential and, yet, absolutely feel-good documentary.
The three Irish women behind the camera, directors Kane, Kennedy and O’Boyle, keep a cool, clear head as they trace the 35 years long struggle of a group of activists to remove the 8th Amendment – one of the most cruel abortions ban in the world – from their country’s constitution.
Although they closely follow pro-choice campaigning legends Ailbhe Smith and Andrea Horan, they maintain balance and an open dialogue by giving space to the voices from the other side of the debate.
This is how they succeed, on more than one level.
They shed a revealing light on history and communicate the facts with spot on clarity. They explore the failures and tragedies that irrevocably led to the historic referendum of 2018, all the while effectively disclosing the courage and unrelenting patience of grassroots activism in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
They implicitly recognise thorough knowledge and calm, fearless statement of the facts combined with a graceful, generous willingness to keep the conversation going, to actively listen, rather than only (forcefully) speaking, as our only true compasses in this era of misinformation and social media tribalism.
They realise and make clear for all to see that the more we progress the greater the (fearful) puss-back from the status quo. Most importantly, they create a sobering, engaging, thoughtful and at once emotive piece of film-making that culminates in an irrevocably triumphant and absolutely earned, real, happy end.
This is how we win.
Reviews:
★★★★ “Kennedy, Kane, and O’Boyle have made a documentary alive with the raw energy of protest, marshalled by a strategic focus. Emotional undercurrents sometimes surge into an overwhelmingly moving expression of mass solidarity. The political stakes of 25 May 2018 are well-established so that when the result is finally called you feel it in that site of struggle: the body”. Sophie Monks Kaufman, Empire
“Most impressive about this film is its attention to cinematic detail. The visual capturing of a period which is largely remembered through its words coming from all sides, at once loud and clear, oppressive and inspiring, frightening and empowering”. Phoebe Moore, Film Ireland
★★★★ “The grassroots campaign that led to one of the single most important moments in the history of women’s rights is documented in this solid, stirring and frequently very affecting film”. Wendy Ide, The Observer
4/5 “A political campaign may sound like a dry subject for a film, but this documentary is anything but. The questions of morality, agency and human rights that arise from discussing the Eighth Amendment are profound and universally important”. Sophie Maxwell, One Room With a View