Choice

Director Statement

Cinema is a universal language, uniquely positioned to address profound human issues and inspire societal change. Among the most pressing of these is gender equality, and at its core lies the global debate over abortion. Even in developed nations like the United States, abortion remains prohibited in many states, dividing society between those who denounce it as infanticide and those who defend it as a woman’s fundamental right to choose.

This story is inspired by the controversial 2013 law in Macedonia, which stripped women of their right to access safe and legal abortion. Such legislation not only infringes on personal freedom but also forces women to seek unsafe, clandestine procedures, endangering their lives. The bureaucratic and psychological obstacles women faced to secure permission were harrowing and dehumanizing—stories of resilience and suffering that evoke both outrage and helplessness.

As a filmmaker, I feel a responsibility to bring these stories to light. While abortion has been explored in many films worldwide, I am compelled to highlight how, even in 21st-century Europe, women are denied this fundamental right. Beyond its legal implications, this injustice highlights broader societal failings, where control over women’s bodies perpetuates inequality and risk.

This film will be a single-take journey following Ana as she navigates the hospital system, culminating in her arrival at the operating table. By immersing the audience in her experience, I hope to evoke empathy and a deeper understanding of the emotional and physical toll such restrictions impose. Through Ana’s story, we can confront the human cost of denying women autonomy over their own bodies.