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March 3, 2019

Pre-screening of new movie ‘Unplanned’ moves audience at UMass

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

 

Students from UMass attended a pre-screening of the movie “Unplanned” Thursday, Feb. 28. (IObserve photo/courtesy of Jedediah Arnold)

 

AMHERST – Inside of Burke Lounge, students sat in the dark unable to take their eyes off the screen as the story of Abby Johnson’s life and conversion unfolded before them. Johnson, the former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in College Station, Texas, had a dramatic change of heart on an issue she once championed after seeing and assisting with an ultrasound-guided abortion in 2009.

A special pre-screening of Johnson’s new movie “Unplanned” was held at the Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass), Thursday, Feb. 28.

The pre-screening was made available by Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL).

“I’ve known Abby for years. When I first read her book I said, ‘this would make a really impactful movie,’” said C.J. Williams, MCFL’s director of community engagement. Williams, who is based in Boston, has worked in film throughout her career. She helped with promotional content and social media for “Unplanned.”

“I think storytelling and art is exactly what will turn the tide. Legally you can change everything you want, but you can’t change someone’s heart with a law. Storytelling goes below the intellect, goes below your guard, and connects with you in a relational way,” Williams explained.

The movie, was produced by Christian film studio Pure Flix, which also released “God’s Not Dead” in 2014. “Unplanned” is based on Johnson’s best-selling book and was filmed in Oklahoma. Johnson already has been sued for telling her story.

“When people come out of this film they say ‘I saw myself in Abby Johnson. I saw her heart for women.’ She went into the abortion industry and saw the reality of what the abortion industry was doing to women,” Williams said.

Students at the Newman Catholic Center have been involved in pro-life activities for many years. Some of them recently founded a new non-denominational group, UMass Pro-life.

“I wanted to see this movie because she was totally pro-choice, a strong advocate in a leadership position and she totally changed her mind,” said Jasmine Moss, a UMass senior and founder of the pro-life club. Moss, who is studying to become a physician’s assistant, is also a member of the Newman Catholic Center.

“She saw an abortion actually happen. A lot of people would have had a conversion of heart if they went through her story,” said Moss.

The movie also details how Abby Johnson’s story intersects with the beginning of the 40 Days for Life Campaign, which is held twice a year. The very first 40 Days for Life Campaign was held outside of the Planned Parenthood in Texas where she worked. Johnson and the leaders of the 40 Days campaign, Sean and Marilisa Carney, eventually became friends. The Carneys were portrayed in the movie as having an important role in Johnson’s journey.

“I’m very pro-life. It (the movie) intrigued me,” said Kendall Westhoff, a junior at UMass majoring in mechanical engineering. Westhoff has attended the March for Life in the past and is a member of the Newman Catholic Center. 

“I think it’s something everyone needs to see and be educated about,” he said.

Another pre-screening event will be held Monday, March 4 at the Bishop Marshall Center at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact cj@masscitizensforlife.org.

“Unplanned” will be in theaters nationwide March 29.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.

 

 

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