''Ask for Jane'' is a 2018 American historical drama film created and produced by Cait Cortelyou, and written and directed by Rachel Carey. The film stars Cait Cortelyou,

Cody Horn Cody Harrell Horn is an American actress and model. She has appeared in films such as '' Violet & Daisy'' (2011), ''Magic Mike'' (2012), and ''End of Watch'' (2012), and guest starred on the NBC sitcom ''The Office'' as recurring character Jordan ...

, Sarah Ramos,

Sarah Steele Sarah Jane Steele (born September 16, 1988) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Marissa Gold on the CBS legal drama series ''The Good Wife'' (2011–2016) and its CBS All Access spinoff series ''The Good Fight'' (2017–2 ...

and

Sophie von Haselberg Sophie Frederica Alohilani von Haselberg (born November 14, 1986) is an American actress, best known for co-starring in the Woody Allen film '' Irrational Man''. Early life and education von Haselberg was born in Los Angeles, California, the d ...

. 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 = Country , subdivision_name ...

between 1969 and 1973. The

helped over 11,000 women obtain illegal abortions before

Roe v. Wade ''Roe v. Wade'', 410 U.S. 113 (1973),. was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States conferred the right to have an abortion. The decision struck down many federal and s ...

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 pre ...

network in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

. 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 reproduc ...

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 Abortion-rights movements, also referred to as pro-choice movements, advocate for the right to have legal access to induced abortion services including elective abortion. They seek to represent and support women who wish to terminate their pre ...

. 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 case

Cast

* Cait Cortelyou – Rose *

Judith Arcana Judith Arcana is an American writer of poems, stories, essays and books. She was a teacher for forty years and her writing has appeared in journals and anthologies since the early 1980s. She has been an activist for reproductive justice since s ...

– Professor Solomon *

– Janice *

Alison Wright Alison Wright (born 12 July 1976) is an English actress. She is best known for her starring role as Martha Hanson on the FX period spy drama series ''The Americans'' (2013–2017), for which she received critical acclaim and earned a Primeti ...

– 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 Daniel Flaherty (born June 11, 1993) is an American actor, known for his role as Stanley Lucerne on the MTV teen drama series '' Skins''. Life and career Flaherty started studying acting at age 11. When he turned 13, he booked his first short f ...

– Tim *

– Donna *

Lilly Englert Lilly Englert (born 23 August 1989) is an English actress best known for ''The Wilde Wedding, A Midsummer Night's Dream'' and ''Ask for Jane''. Early life and education Englert was born in London, England and raised in Parma, Italy along with ...

– Patty *

Ben Rappaport Ben Rappaport (born ) is an American actor. He played the role of Todd Dempsy in the NBC sitcom '' Outsourced'', which aired during the 2010–11 television season. The series marked Rappaport's debut acting role on screen. Life and career Rapp ...

– Bill *

– Joyce * Phil Burke – Gary * Saycon Sengbloh – Roberta *

Brian Tarantina Brian Tarantina (March 27, 1959 – November 2, 2019) was an American stage, screen, and television character actor born in New York City. He was known for his roles on such shows as '' One Life to Live'', ''The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'', and ''G ...

– Angry Doctor * Michael Rabe – Dr. Charlie *

David Fierro David Fierro is an American stage, TV and film actor and director. He is known for the roles of Inspector Jacob Speight on ''The Knick'' and roles on ''Red Oaks'' and '' Gotham''. Biography Fierro's most notable role has been Jacob Speight in ...

– Dr. Fredrickson

Production and release

The film is produced by Caroline's Entertainment's

Caroline Hirsch Caroline Hirsch is the founder and owner of the New York comedy club Carolines on Broadway and the New York Comedy Festival. She is recognized for her ability to spot rising comedic talent including Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Reubens. Early life ...

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.

, 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