Q&A With the Director of October Baby

I first heard of the movie from my sister, who hosted a viewing of the film in her role as President of the Family Foundation of Virginia. She told me the premise…that a teen girl suddenly discovers she is the adopted survivor of a failed abortion. I was stunned to learn that there was such a thing, an abortion survivor, and that a woman named Gianna Jessen speaks often about her difficult life as such a victim. 

The movie sounded interesting but I assumed it would be kind of cheesy. I was invited to a screening in Houston when it was released by one of my adoption alliance ministries. I skipped it, but remained curious, so when the invite came last week for this screening I jumped on it. 

Yes, it’s a movie made on a shoestring budget by Christian directors with a strongly pro-life message. It is supported by a whole bunch of pro-family, pro-life, pro-adoption organizations that I am intimately familiar with. 

But the interesting thing is that it released the same weekend as The Hunger Games and still grossed $1.7 million on opening weekend. It remained in the top ten grossing movies for weeks. 

Jasmine Guy as Nurse Mary

Why? I suspect in part because it’s not a movie about abortion. It’s a coming-of-age story involving a college road trip and an innocent romance with incredible touches of humor and gripping drama. It’s one of those make-you-laugh, make-you-cry movies. The acting is pretty good, especially that of the abortion nurse, played by Jasmine Guy. She’s amazing. 

What caught my attention as a photographer though were the stunning visuals. GORGEOUS cinematography. Golden light and sunflare galore. Glistening water and glowing wheat. It was just beautiful to see. 

It is also very very extremely sympathetic to women who have had abortions. Even to the abortion nurse. A couple of lines I noted: “To be human is to be beautifully flawed.” and “Life isn’t always black and white.” Forgiveness and healing is a huge theme, though the movie is not overly religious. 

I did love the bringing together of a Baptist and a Catholic at the end of the film though. That was good to see. 

I think the most powerful part of the movie is actually after the credits start rolling. The actress who was cast to play the birthmother, Shari Rigby, shares her true testimony of having had an abortion and how the film provided healing for her. The director, Andrew Erwin, said that after every screening he has been to he has multiple women come to him in tears sharing how Shari’s testimony is their own story too. I can believe that.

The director said he did not want to make a controversial, political or preachy movie. He says he is just a storyteller. But the film has certainly garnered support from the pro-life, pro-family community.

I doubt my pro-choice friends will ever see October Baby, but I think they should. It might surprise them. I’d be honestly interested in hearing the opinion of some pro-choice friends about the film.