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2001

(248) 626-8111

70

`On Hostile Ground'

Film documents three health-care professionals who put their lives
on the line providing abortions under 'pro-life' death threats.

extremist position of radical "pro-life" groups like the Army
of God and the American Coalition of Life Activists, which
Special to the Jewish News
called the murder of Dr. Slepian a "justifiable homicide." It
wasn't
the first fatal shooting, but it was a shocking and
n Hostile Ground is a documentary that takes you
horrifying attack. And it continues to haunt the med-
by surprise.
ical workers introduced in the film.
A feature-length film about abortion
One of the three subjects is Dr. Richard Stuntz, an
providers coming to terms with often
OB-GYN in his 70s, who explains his choice to con-
violent opposition from the pro-life movement, the
tinue providing abortions in the context of his Christian
no-frills camera style and the intermittently muffled
identity. He recognizes that Christianity is not a single system
audio initially seem almost too authentic — too raw — for
of beliefs, and even within his own family there are strong dif-
its own good.
ferences of opinion.
But the brilliance here is the film's unwavering honesty,
Another subject is Susan Cahill, a physician assistant who
generosity, and bravery.
has
performed abortions since 1977. Cahill finds herself
While exploring the personal and professional feelings of
involved
in a court case that specifically attempts to limit the
three abortion providers, the film refrains from making explic-
right of physician assistants to
it political or ethical judge-
perform abortions.
ments. Instead, filmmakers Liz
Throughout the film, Cahill is
Morris Wortman, a
Mermin and Jenny Raskin
the most passionate of all the
Rochester, NY gynecologist,
carefully and subtly develop
subjects as she discusses her com-
links his professional dedication
distinct character studies.
mitment to the people she helps,
to
his
parents'
experience
as
Interweaving home movie-
her sense of outrage at the mur-
concentration camp survivors
quality video, news footage
der of Slepian, and her particular
during
the
Holocaust.
and abortion statistics,
Mermin and Raskin examine
decisions made by physicians
and assistants in the wake of
the 1998 murder of Dr.
Barnett Slepian, a Buffalo,
N.Y., Jewish abortion provider
who was slain by a sniper in
front of his family.
Pennebaker (Don't Look Back, Searching
AUDREY BECKER
Facing harassment, protest-
For firni Hendrix, Depeche Mode 101),
Special to the Jewish News
ers, and serious threats of
along with first-time director Nick Doob,
er the healthcare workers
danger,
the filmmakers allow us to see great artists
or those of us who rushed out to
interviewed in the film speak
preparing for and performing in a memo-
get the soundtrack from 0
candidly about their role as
rable show. We almost feel like were sit-
Brother, Where Art Thou? as soon
providers of abortion. It is a
ting backstage with Emrnylou and
as we left the theater, it doesn't
courageous glimpse into many
Gillian as they put on their
get much better than this
motivations: political, social,
makeup and wait for their cue.
a
Down from the Mountain is
religious, moral and personal.
Jewish filmmakers Ethan and
documentary
that
gives
us
an
all-
From the first moments,
Joel
Coen's
comedy, 0 Brother, Where Art
access pass to a special concert at
we're reminded that much
reset
Homer's Odyssey in
Thou?,
Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Featuring
credit must be given to the
era
America. The Coen
Depression
artists who appeared on the 0 Brother,
subjects of the film who have
(Raising
Arizona, Fargo, Barton
Brothers
Where Art Thou? soundtrack, the concert
put their lives at risk not only
asked record pro-
Fink,
The
Big
Lebowski)
of
blues,
blue-
serves up a captivating mix
by continuing to perform
grass and American
abortions, but by participat-
roots music from the
ing in the documentary.
likes of Emmylou
Bulletproof vests, armed
Harris, Alison Krauss,
guards, surveillance systems
Gillian Welch, John
and police escorts have
Hartford,
Ralph Stanley,
become part of the job for
David
Rawlings,
the
these healthcare workers.
Fairfield
Four,
the
Cox
Suddenly, the ordinary world
Family
and
others.
of a clinic takes on a frighten-
Directed by Chris
ingly different appearance.
Hegedus
and D.A.
,..
The implicit irony that the
documentary examines is the

AUDREY BECKER

0

`Down From The Mountain'

0 roots music, here art thou.

r

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