''Ask for Jane'' is a 2018 American

historical drama A historical drama (also period drama, costume drama, and period piece) is a work set in a past time period, usually used in the context of film and television. Historical drama includes historical fiction and romance film, romances, adventure f ...

film created and produced by Cait Cortelyou, and written and directed by Rachel Carey. The film stars Cait Cortelyou, Cody Horn, Sarah Ramos, Sarah Steele and Sophie von Haselberg. The film is based on the true story about the

Jane Collective The Jane Collective or Jane, officially known as the Abortion Counseling Service of Women's Liberation, was an underground service in Chicago, Illinois affiliated with the Chicago Women's Liberation Union that operated from 1969 to 1973, a time ...

, an underground abortion network which was active in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

between 1969 and 1973. The

helped over 11,000 women obtain illegal abortions before Roe v. Wade was passed. ''Ask for Jane'' is the first ever narrative feature film about the Jane Collective.

Plot

In 1973, a group of women are arrested for being involved in an underground

abortion Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus. An abortion that occurs without intervention is known as a miscarriage or "spontaneous abortion"; these occur in approximately 30% to 40% of pregn ...

network in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

. They flashback to four years before. Patty drops out of school and runs away from home because she is pregnant. Rose successfully convinces Patty to get an abortion, which was illegal at the time. Donna attempts to become a

sex education Sex education, also known as sexual education, sexuality education or sex ed, is the instruction of issues relating to human sexuality, including emotional relations and responsibilities, human sexual anatomy, sexual activity, sexual reproduct ...

teacher to replace sister Anne Marie. However, principal Rafferty denies Donna's request, citing the fact that there had been no complaints in the past 40 years she had been working there. Donna sneaks a book about birth control into the library. Barb reveals her pregnancy, and suggests marrying Tim. Tim suggests an abortion, but decides to marry her instead. Rose, Patty, and Janice graduate college. Rose and Janice decide to create the Women's Liberation Meeting (also known as the

), which becomes very popular. The members of the meeting began searching for abortion doctors and directing pregnant women to them. Janice receives a call which threatens to report the group to the police. Rose breaks up with her fiancée, Bill. Donna is fired from her job after a student reports her. The group of women organize a protest for abortion rights. A police officer asks the group to lay low, and decides not to arrest anybody. The group learns that Dr. Charlie lied about his medical license and pretended to be a doctor. They realize that Charlie had experience in abortions, and decided to keep him. Charlie teaches Janice how to perform an abortion. Soon after, many of the women also learn how to perform abortions. The entire group is arrested but they are released on bond shortly afterwards. They gain national attention. Their trials begin. However, they are acquitted and their charges are dismissed due to the

Supreme court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...

case Roe v. Wade.

Cast

* Cait Cortelyou – Rose * Judith Arcana – Professor Solomon * Cody Horn – Janice * Alison Wright – Ada * Sarah Ramos – Maggie *

Chloe Levine Chloe (; ), also spelled Chloë, Chlöe, or Chloé, is a feminine name meaning "blooming" or "fertility" in Greek. The name ultimately derives, through Greek, from the Proto-Indo-European root ', which relates to the colors yellow and green. T ...

– Barb * Daniel Flaherty – Tim * Sarah Steele – Donna * Lilly Englert – Patty * Ben Rappaport – Bill * Sophie von Haselberg – Joyce *

Phil Burke Phil Burke (born 1982) is a Canadian film, television and stage actor, best known for his role as Irish immigrant Mickey McGinnes on the AMC television series, ''Hell on Wheels''. Career Burke appeared in the 2015 film '' Dirty Weekend.'' He a ...

– Gary *

Saycon Sengbloh Saycon Sengbloh (born October 23, 1977) is an American actress and singer. She was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play and won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play and an Obie Award for Outstandi ...

– Roberta * Brian Tarantina – Angry Doctor * Michael Rabe – Dr. Charlie * David Fierro – Dr. Fredrickson

Production and release

The film is produced by Caroline's Entertainment's Caroline Hirsch and NYEH's Entertainment Josh Folan. The film received a production grant from Awesome Without Borders. In 2016, the limited series ''Ask For Jane'' was one of three finalists in the New York Television Festival Works 4 Progress Initiative. Judith Arcana, a writer, activist, and real-life member of the

is a consulting producer on the film, in addition to making a cameo appearance.

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 6466058, Ask for Jane Films about abortion American feminist films American historical drama films 2010s feminist films 2010s historical drama films 2010s English-language films 2010s American films