After Tiller is a 90-minute documentary about the last four doctors in US that perform late term abortions when the film was released in 2013. After Tiller refers to Dr. George Tiller who was assassinated in his church in 2009 and worked or mentored one of the featured doctors. Dr. Susan Robinson and Dr. Shelley Sella share responsibilities and commute from California to a clinic in Arizona. Dr. LeRoy Carhart must move from Nebraska to Maryland because of the changing laws and increasingly hostile climate. His wife supports him by providing administrative and emotional support. Dr. Warren Hern runs a clinic in Colorado and starts the documentary alone, but by the end of the film, is remarried and becomes a doting stepfather to his Spanish wife’s son.
Each doctor explains what inspired them to work in such a controversial practice, how they deal with the psychological ramifications of the constant harassment, the moral dilemma posed by their practice and the thought process behind why they will or won’t perform a late term abortion. After Tiller also shows the relationship between the doctors and patients, which even the most staunch anti-abortion viewer cannot help but be moved by at least one of the patient’s stories. Dr. Robinson wisely questions whether that should matter-is telling a good story a requirement of having a late-term abortion?
If asked, my mother is pro-life, but when she elaborates on how she defines pro-life, she is really pro-choice, but would probably vote pro-life. I am anti-abortion, but cannot be pro-life because after growing up fundamentalist Christian, I am more inclined to think the pro-life movement is rooted more in misogyny and control rather concern over a child or a mother’s welfare. I am pro choice in my political choices and live a life devoted to concern for others’ welfare while balancing the sovereignty of the decision makers, the parents, and the interest of the child.
Even though After Tiller clearly takes sides in the culture wars, mom and I enjoyed the documentary. I was sympathetic to the doctors’ plights and empathized with their reason to not give in. If anything, the doctors have radicalized in reaction to the extreme pro-life protests and harassment. They are all reaching retirement age, but will never quit. I wanted to send each of them a care package and hug them. They are not oblivious to the fact that there is a baby, and Dr. Sella really struggles and addresses her concerns.
After Tiller is a must see documentary, and we need more documentaries that show the human side of vilified figures in the media.