The Teaneck International Film Festival, Thursday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 17, presents a collection of compelling and imaginative feature-length films, documentaries and shorts from a variety of cultures, relating to the theme of “Activism: Making Change.” Go to www.teaneckfilmfestival.org for information.
TEANECK, N.J.—In 1969, when a pregnant student at the University of Chicago attempts to take her own life, Rose and Janice find a doctor willing to perform an abortion in secret to save her. Sparked by this experience, they form the Jane Collective, a secret organization that helps other women obtain safe and illegal abortions.
Operating like a spy network, complete with blindfolds and code names, the Janes help thousands of women—but they can’t hide from the police forever. “Ask for Jane” is the feature that tells their story.
The closing film of the 2019 Teaneck International Film Festival, it will be shown Sunday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., at Temple Emeth, 1666 Windsor Road, Teaneck, and will be followed by a talkback with a group of powerful women.
Organizers say that the film is “particularly relevant at a time when Roe vs. Wade is under attack.”
It’s co-sponsored by: WOW, a loose association of Wise Older Women that supports the TIFF; the National Council of Jewish Women, Bergen County Section, a branch of the national volunteer organization that strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms; and Stanton Strong, a non-partisan women’s group dedicated to defending a woman’s right to choose and protecting access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for all women.
Sandi Klein, formerly a WINS Radio anchor and currently the creator of the podcast, “Conversations with Creative Women,” will moderate a panel of four: director/writer Rachel Carey, producer/writer/actress Cait Cortelyou, an original “Jane”; activist Heather Booth; and award-winning author and journalist Angela Bonavoglia.
The program is dedicated to the memory of NCJW, BC Section co-president Jane Abraham, who died recently. WOW Women of the Year awards will be presented to Eva Tobias, a dedicated activist and volunteer, and, posthumously, to Jane Abraham.
Check the TIFF website—www.teaneckfilmfestival.org—to learn more about the film festival with the theme, “Activism: Making Change,” and for information about tickets, special guests, venues, talkbacks, and sponsors—everything you need to know when, for four days, Teaneck is the center of the film world.
