Live Free or Die (documentary)
Encyclopedia
Live Free or Die is a 2000 documentary film
that follows Dr. Wayne Goldner, a New Hampshire OBGYN
fighting on the latest front of the "abortion
wars." The feature originally aired as part of PBS
' P.O.V.
series. It was directed and produced by Marion Lipschutz
and Rose Rosenblatt
of Incite Pictures
.
. Goldner's greatest conflict, as depicted in the film, is reducing the tension caused by his presence in the community.
teacher from a local school. The conflict moves to the center of community politics when Goldner applies to be reinstated by the local school board. After a wide ranging dispute, the board denies his request. The film concludes that doctors like Wayne Goldner often stop providing abortions because of the "profound sense of isolation they endure." The film aim is to show that, more than violence, it is a lack of social support for abortion providers that has left 86% of counties in the US without abortion service.
2000 in film
The year 2000 in film involved some significant events.The top grosser worldwide was Mission: Impossible II. Domestically in North America, Gladiator won the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor ....
that follows Dr. Wayne Goldner, a New Hampshire OBGYN
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Obstetrics and gynaecology are the two surgical–medical specialties dealing with the female reproductive organs in their pregnant and non-pregnant state, respectively, and as such are often combined to form a single medical specialty and postgraduate training programme...
fighting on the latest front of the "abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
wars." The feature originally aired as part of PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
' P.O.V.
P.O.V.
POV is a Public Broadcasting Service Public television series which features independent nonfiction films. POV is a cinema term for "point of view"....
series. It was directed and produced by Marion Lipschutz
Marion Lipschutz
Marion Lipschutz is an American film director and co-founder of Incite Pictures and Cine Qua Non , a 501, a partnership of Marion Lipschutz and Rose Rosenblatt, produces long form, dramatic documentaries and ancillary educational materials on social and cultural subjects...
and Rose Rosenblatt
Rose Rosenblatt
Rose Rosenblatt is an American film director, film editor, and co-founder of Incite Pictures. Her work includes The Education of Shelby Knox , Live Free or Die , Fatherhood USA, and The Abortion Pill...
of Incite Pictures
Incite Pictures
Incite Pictures is a documentary film production company located in New York City. It was founded by Rose Rosenblatt and Marion Lipschutz. Incite Pictures is the for profit arm of Cine Qua Non, a non-profit organization.- Films :...
.
Overview
Set against the backdrop of Goldner's own community, the film captures a year of daily struggles and moral conflict. In the documentary, Wayne challenges a Catholic hospital merger that greatly reduces the area's services. When a patient who is 14 weeks pregnant is barred from the hospital operating room, Goldner is forced to send her on an 80 mile cab ride for an emergency abortionAbortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. Goldner's greatest conflict, as depicted in the film, is reducing the tension caused by his presence in the community.
Political conflict in the film
In his hometown, protesters target Goldner as an abortionist and succeed in getting him dismissed as a sex educationSex education
Sex education refers to formal programs of instruction on a wide range of issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, contraception, and...
teacher from a local school. The conflict moves to the center of community politics when Goldner applies to be reinstated by the local school board. After a wide ranging dispute, the board denies his request. The film concludes that doctors like Wayne Goldner often stop providing abortions because of the "profound sense of isolation they endure." The film aim is to show that, more than violence, it is a lack of social support for abortion providers that has left 86% of counties in the US without abortion service.
External links
- Incite Pictures- Production company page
- P.O.V. Live Free or Die - PBS' website dedicated to the film