This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Haymaker (talk | contribs) at 16:59, 16 March 2011 (petchesky founded International Reproductive Rights Research Action Group, don't try to pretend she is just a run of the mill prof). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 16:59, 16 March 2011 by Haymaker (talk | contribs) (petchesky founded International Reproductive Rights Research Action Group, don't try to pretend she is just a run of the mill prof)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) This article is about the 1984 abortion documentary. For other uses, see Silent Scream.'The Silent Scream' is a 1984 video about abortion directed, and narrated by Dr. Bernard Nathanson in partnership with the Right to Life Committee. The film depicts the abortion process via ultrasound and shows an abortion taking place in the womb. During the aborting process, the fetus is described as appearing to make outcries of pain and discomfort. The video has been a popular tool used by the pro-life campaign in arguing against abortion, even being shown at the White House by then President Ronald Reagan.
The film compiled a series of ultrasonic still images of the abortion of a twelve-week-old fetus spliced together to create the video. For the first time the images of an aborted fetus were given an electronic platform, as opposed to the print form of the imagery used in years prior. As a result, some pro-life activists began using the film as proof that their position is science based.
The Silent Scream rose to international stardom when it premiered on the television program “Jerry Falwell Live” and aired five times over the span of a month over major television networks. The film was later widely distributed to high schools and colleges.
In 1985, Planned Parenthood convened what it described as "a panel of internationally known and respected physicians" to review, critique and issue a rebuttal of the factual claims made in the film, including fetal pain, purposeful movement, and the "scream" of the title. The brochure, entitled The Facts Speak Louder than "The Silent Scream", described the video as "riddled with scientific, medical, and legal inaccuracies as well as misleading statements and exaggerations", "wildly popular with anti-abortion zealots" and "a key tool in their propaganda efforts".
Feminist author and journalist Katie Roiphe described the video as "extremely suspect propaganda" and "essentially a horror movie that used frank distortions". Political scientist and pro-choice activist Rosalind P. Petchesky observed "its visual distortions and verbal fraud" and said that it "belongs in the realm of cultural representation rather than...medical evidence."
Plot
Nathanson serves as both the medical expert and narrator of this film, describing the events of the abortion as they unfold. He begins by stating the viewer is about to witness “dazzling” new “science of fetology” that enables us to witness an abortion in real time "from the victim's vantage point."
The suction cannula is described as a lethal weapon that will "dismember, crush, and destroy" the "child" and rip him/her apart. Nathanson goes further to narrate that the fetus is unprepared for the invasion of the womb and attempts to escape the cannula. The film culminates in the now famous "silent scream" which is accompanied with shrill musical accompaniment.
Nathanson concludes the film by discussing the implications behind hiding this material from women. He believes the film is necessary in keeping women informed on matters concerning abortion.
References
- Silent Scream
- ^ Petchesky, Rosalind Pollack (Summer 1987). "Fetal Images: The Power of Visual Culture in the Politics of Reproduction". Feminist Studies. 13 (2): 263–292.
- ^ Roiphe, Katie (2008-01-01). "Choice words". Guardian Unlimited. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
- ^ DeParle, Jason (April 1989). "Beyond the legal right; why liberals and feminists don't like to talk about the morality of abortion". The Washington Monthly. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
- ^ Pickering, B., & Lake, R. 1999. "Visual Images as (opposed to?) Reason: The Argument of Eclipse of Reason." Conference Proceedings -- National Communication Association/American Forensic Association (Alta Conference on Argumentation), 253-261. Retrieved from Communication & Mass Media Complete database.
- ^ "The Facts Speak Louder than "The Silent Scream"" (PDF) (Press release). Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. 1985 (current as of March 2002).
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External links
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