22 Weeks

Plot

In the EPOC abortion clinic in Orlando, Florida, Angela Mencer is presented with two options: to terminate her 22-week pregnancy through suction method, or an injection of digoxin into the fetal heart, followed by a still birth. She chooses the latter, believing the baby would not suffer by such means.

After the procedure, Angela meets pro-life activists outside the clinic. They make appeals to religion, to which Angela replies, “God was never raped”.

The next day Angela wakes up in her motel room bleeding. She returns to the abortion clinic, where she is left in a waiting room, later going into labor and giving birth on a toilet. Realizing her baby was born alive, Angela frantically seeks assistance from the clinic staff for her newborn son; however, the staff deny that the baby is alive and do not respond to Angela’s pleas for medical assistance for the baby. They lock Angela in the bathroom. Angela uses her cell phone to call her friend Sharon and tells her what has happened. Sharon calls 9-1-1, while Angela attempts to comfort the dying baby.

Paramedics arrive at the clinic, only to be turned away by clinic staff, who inform them that no one at their office called for medical assistance. The baby dies, approximately 10 minutes after birth.

Cast

Release

The film premiered in 2009, in Washington DC, the night before the 2009 March for Life rally. The initial showing was held at Union Station’s Phoenix Theatre. Afterward, the woman whose account formed the basis of the WorldNetDaily article, on which the film was based, spoke with the audience and answered questions.

The film was also shown in select locations throughout the United States, including: San Diego's Landmark Key Theatre; Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA; as well as Orlando, FL and Wichita, KS, sponsored by Operation Rescue. The last two locations were selected due to their relevance to the film's subject matter. At the time, Wichita, KS was home to George Tiller's Women's Health Care clinic, which was one of only three clinics to perform late term abortions in the United States, and Orlando, FL is home to EPOC abortion clinic.

Reception

Commenting on the film, Alejandro Monteverde, director of the movie Bella described 22 Weeks as "one of the most disturbing stories I’ve ever come across." Operation Rescue President Troy Newman commented, "This powerful movie is a strong statement about abortion in general and late-term abortion in particular."

22 Weeks was awarded the 2009 Excellence in Media Angel Award.