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La Peur au Ventre (The Fear in the Belly), created by Canadian documentarist and author Léa Clermont-Dion, is a documentary released in late 2024 that has raised important questions and different opinions about abortion.
While Options is a non-political organization, we recognize that politics does affect our work and daily lives. Historically, the United States has had a strong influence on Canada. In 1973, the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalized abortion across the U.S., but this decision was overturned in 2022, allowing individual states to ban or restrict abortion. Disturbed by this historical situation, Léa, through this documenry decided to go on a quest to have answers, wondering about the effect that this legal setback will have on Canada.
Kim, one of Options staff, shares her opinion on the documentary.
Edited by Hannah, Executive Director
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The fear Léa Clermont-Dion conveys about pro-life reform in Quebec and Canada following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States is palpable throughout her documentary La Peur au Ventre (The Fear in the Belly). Her filmed journey vividly captures the emotional toll of confronting opposing perspectives that she believes are harmful to women. Walking in her shoes might have elicited a similar emotional response from me, as she directly engaged with viewpoints contrary to her own. However, since my faith has become my source of strength, I know I will never again walk alone or in fear when it comes to standing firm on sensitive issues such as unplanned pregnancy and abortion. I respect Clermont-Dion's courage in seeking to understand and engage with opposing viewpoints.
I encourage everyone—whether Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, or Pro-Grace—to watch this documentary, which is available for free on Télé-Québec. It features voices from both the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice movements, offering a more balanced perspective on abortion than I initially anticipated. This balance is essential for fostering meaningful reflection.
I was particularly struck by the presence of so many Pro-Life voices in a film created by an openly feminist, Pro-Choice filmmaker. Clermont-Dion spoke with Georges Buscemi, the President of Quebec Life Coalition, as well as Abby Johnson, one of America’s well-known advocates for life (whose story is told in the film and book Unplanned), among others.
She also attended Pro-Life marches in the United States, Canada, and Quebec, and participated in Pro-Life conferences where she expressed concern about how “the messages are very convincing.” Despite her Pro-Choice stance, she presents a range of perspectives, making the documentary an insightful watch for anyone interested in abortion or seeking to better understand the perspective of Pro-Choice Quebecers.
In my own experience, I was once overwhelmed with my choices when finding out I was pregnant unexpectedly. As I was brought up pro-life, once I found myself in this challenging position of unplanned pregnancy, the idea of even having the option of abortion felt like a heavy obligation to consider. The pressure to make a decision that would rest on my shoulders alone as the pregnant woman made the weight of my options more significant for my future dreams and aspirations.
Now, I believe that once conception occurs, the focus should shift to the health and well-being of the woman—not just her right to choose. This is a life-altering journey for her, regardless of the length of the pregnancy. How can we better support women—both mentally and physically—during this critical time?
As a society, we need to explore why some women feel abortion is their only option. Could we provide better support for those considering adoption or offer more resources to women facing difficult pregnancies?
What if we improved the adoption process or expanded support for pregnancy and childbirth? What if we focused more on education about sexuality, the menstrual cycle, and hormonal changes? Could these initiatives reduce the number of abortions?
I do not seek to take away a woman’s free will to choose, but I do believe this subject requires greater transparency. Every woman deserves to be fully informed about the potential physical and emotional effects of abortion while being presented with all her options equally. We need to ensure that women can make decisions based on complete and accurate information.
This documentary underscores the importance of offering support and education—principles that are central to the mission of a pregnancy center—while addressing the broader issues surrounding abortion in a surprisingly balanced and thought-provoking way. If you can understand French, we encourage all to watch it.
At our center, this documentary has sparked some exciting and meaningful discussions. I even know of some who watched it with their families during the holidays. I’m willing to bet it holds some interesting surprises for anyone who watches it.
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