"How To Get An Abortion"

6 June 2023

6 mins

Parental Priorities

Abortion is a thorny topic to navigate regardless of one's stance, and who knew it could be the basis for something as funny, touching, and gently life-affirming as this great short film? Directed by Sindha Agha, the piece offers a snapshot into the life of a young woman going through a difficult time who gets support from an unexpected source.

The writing is excellent throughout the narrative, as it treats the subject matter with a very human mix of humour and hesitation. There's no hand-wringing or moral shaming involved, and the main character feels like a fully fleshed out, self-assured young woman who knows her own mind from the word go.

The relationship between father and daughter is tenderly drawn too, as her fears about her dad's conservative reaction turn to surprise when she realises that his true motivation is, above all things, love for his child. It's a touching conclusion which will speak to those without emotionally demonstrative families - because sometimes a closed bathroom door is really an opening, in its own way.

UK

Short Film