The overturning of Roe V Wade sent shockwaves throughout America.
By taking away abortion rights for women, an authoritarian cloud came over the nation, and surely projected ideals of American life by many looking from afar were shattered.
Often controversy creates art, and this is the case for female-led anthology Give Me an A, a series of shorts in response to this barbaric moment.
Messages ranging from darkly comedic to being silenced, the removal of bodily autonomy to the consequences of one-night stands and also rape.
I can’t say I fully enjoyed this, but the offbeat humour does offset the darker themes which will have many of all genders cringing. Give Me An A, is sometimes designed to make your squirm, if i you aren’t perhaps its time to re-evaluate your values.
We see women getting bullied while trying to go to abortion clinics, their literal mouths removed to carrying out illegal abortions in the basement of convenience stores.
The flipside is the dark comedy of ‘God’s Plan’, where a police officer and a pregnant women discuss whether she was driving for two, with a shocking and punch the air pay-off. ‘Crucible Island’ gives us the reality TV version, with a group of men quizzed about who impregnated a mysterious person. It’s cringeworthy but so try to life, just go on TikTok.
‘DTF’ sees a woman draw up a legal contract with a one-night stand, meaning he has to take on the responsibilities of being a sole parent in case their use of protection isn’t enough.
Give Me An A is super-charged with political commentary, it’s angry by design but not in an unstructured way. These stories will sadly resonate with a lot of people, making it a must-see anthology.
Give Me An A screened as part of Grimmfest 2023.
Bloody Flicks 