This documentary tells the story of Irish women and their fight to overturn one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the world.
The 8th traces Ireland's campaign to remove the 8th Amendment - a constitutional ban on abortion. It shows a country's transformation from a conservative state in thrall to the Catholic church to a more liberal secular society.
The film includes voices from both sides of the debate, but its primary focus is on the dynamic female leaders of the pro-choice campaign. The film follows the veteran campaigner Ailbhe Smyth and self-described glitter-activist Andrea Horan as they chart a bold strategy of grassroots activism and engineer the impossible. This dramatic story is underscored by a vivid exploration of the wrenching failures that led to this defining moment in Irish history.
Ireland/US 2020 Dir Aideen Kan, Lucy Kennedy, Maeve O’Boyle 94 min
English captions are available for this title.
Barbican Cinema has been supported by the Culture Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas in England which is administered by the BFI, as part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund supporting arts and cultural organisations in England affected by the impact of Covid-19. #HereForCulture.
Online Q&A
Reclaim the Frame / The 8th - UK Preview Q&A hosted by Annie Mac
Register online for a Q&A hosted by Radio 1’s Annie Mac at 9pm (BST) on Tue 18 May, with director Aideen Kane, activist Ailbhe Smyth, and acclaimed campaigner Andrea Horan. The panel are discussing the fight to repeal the 8th amendment in Ireland.
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