Educational Exploitation Double-Feature 11/14

 (Virtual) (Doors open 8pm EST-12am EST)

We’ve got another night of banned cinema with two films that were initially made illegal in the United States, despite trying to educate the populace on hot button issues growing popular in America; Child brides & abortion!

First up, we’ve got the first film ever made about abortion which was banned in Pennsylvania! With sinister a mixed message (including a macabre seen with a spirit baby), this work of cinema is still noteworthy, both for being a women-directed film & for its early attempts to explore the issue of women’s reproductive rights, an issue thats only grown in importance over the last half a century. Despite its early, often seen as a primitive understanding of the issue with an avert religious-messaging, its still an incredible bold conversation starter at a time when the humanizing or perspective of women getting an abortion was difficult to find, especially from a female director!

Next up, things get more controversial with a film initially banned & rejected in the United States by the Production Code Administration, the film’s honest attempts to draw attention to the growing issue of child brides due to lack of legislation protecting children ended up being eclipsed by hammy performances & a controversial topless swimming scene with the film’s lead actress, the 12-year old Shirley Mills! The film would later be parodied on an episode of Mystery Science Theater.

Hosted byKevin Ronca + a guest panel after!