Fort Erie theatre to screen ‘Unplanned’
Controversial anti-abortion film has been called propaganda
Unplanned, an anti-abortion film that has stirred controversy wherever it has been shown, is coming to Niagara.
The Ridge Film House in downtown Ridgeway will be screening the film daily starting July 12 and running until July 20.
The movie is based on the memoir of Abby Johnson, who quit her job as director of a Planned Parenthood office in Texas after taking part in an abortion procedure.
The film, which is directed by Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman and stars Ashley Bratcher as Johnson, has been criticized by pro-choice advocates and panned by critics who have called it propaganda.
“We’ve heard about the controversy,” said Ridge Film House owner Pat Ineo. “We had heard they were having problems bringing it to Canada.”
A decision by Cineplex to show the film at its theatres across Canada has fuelled the controversy. Neither of the chain's theatres in Niagara — Niagara Square in Niagara Falls or Seaway Mall in Welland — are showing the film.
In an open letter on the company’s Twitter page, Cineplex president and chief executive Ellis Jacob said the decision to screen “Unplanned” “was a complicated one and was not made easily or lightly.”
He added that he thought it was the right decision.
“When I immigrated to Canada back in 1969, one of the things I loved, and still love, the most about living here was that we don’t shy away from differences — we embrace them.”
It was a sentiment that was echoed by Ineo.
“We have the right to show a different side,” he said. “People should be able to come.”
He added that there have been comments from people on both side of the issue on the Film House’s Facebook page.
“Some people have come to our defence,” Ineo said. “There seems to be a good conversation happening.”
Tickets for the first two showings Thursday and Friday have already been sold out, Ineo said. Depending on demand, more showings may be added.
“We may extend it until July 27,” he said.
Adult admission at the Film House is $8 for members and $10 for nonmembers. The Ridge Film House is located at 320 Ridge Rd. More information and a schedule of show times can be found at www.ridgefilmhouse.com.