Capturing a crucial moment in women's rights, this is the story of how Ireland overturned one of the world's most restrictive laws on abortion.
The film follows veteran campaigner Ailbhe Smyth and self-described glitter-activist Andrea Horan as they chart a bold strategy of grassroots activism to engineer the impossible and carry a traditionally conservative and religious electorate over the line to extend rights to women seeking an abortion.
An urgent narrative, a cautionary tale and a roadmap for progressive reforms in a modern era where authoritarianism is on the rise, The 8th shows a country forging a new path at a time when reproductive rights are threatened around the world.
The film is followed by a recorded ScreenTalk with director Lucy Kennedy, film participants Andrea Horan and Ailbhe Smythe, Hillary Margolis, Senior Researcher, Women's Rights Division, Human Rights Watch, and moderated by Rothna Begum, Human Rights Watch.
Ireland/US 2020 Dir Aideen Kane, Lucy Kennedy, Maeve O’Boyle 94min
This film is fully captioned in English for audiences who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
This film contains abortion theme, sexual violence references, infrequent strong language that some viewers may find disturbing and flickering or flashing lights that may affect those with photosensitive epilepsy.
UK Digital Premiere
Filmmaker Introduction
Filmmaker Introduction: The 8th
Lucy Kennedy, one of the directors of The 8th, introduces her film for Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2021.
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