Award-winning filmmaker Punam Kumar Gill's controversial documentary Hush has finished up its successful festival in advance of a July 1 worldwide release on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD, an exceptional end to an extraordinary journey that began when pro-choice director Gill, pro-life executive producer Drew Martin, and neutral producer Joses Martin began conversations about the subject of the health effects of abortion on women and discovered a desire to break down political boundaries in favor of factual information and open dialogue. Would it even be possible for three individuals from completely diverse perspectives to work cooperatively on such a project?
At times, there was doubt.
In the end? Hush is an extraordinary result.
The film is controversial. There's simply no doubt about it. It won't please everyone. Heck, it may not please anyone. It should please those who would consider themselves, rather than pro-life or pro-choice, to be pro-information. Together, this team had the goal of making a film without a political agenda and with one sole vision - revealing the truth for the sake of women's health or, perhaps more bluntly, to approach abortion through the lens of a women's health issue rather than a political or religious issue and to approach the effort with a vision of providing women the best care possible.
As the team points out "In “Pro-Life” circles, hearing about the negative effects of abortion is a common thing. Churches and Crisis Pregnancy Centres will tell you about the psychological trauma, potential for physical damage, and even breast cancer, that abortion may cause.
On the other hand, in “Pro-Choice” circles, and at abortion clinics it is commonly told that the procedure is much safer than childbirth, that the psychological effects are the same as if you deliver the child, and the breast cancer connection is a closed case.
One way or another, someone is lying to women."
Hush has been on the film festival circuit since its world premiere at the LA Femme International Film Festival and picked up the Golden Award at the World Documentary Awards in 2015 and Best Documentary at the Life Fest Film Festival along with multiple other screenings.
Regardless of whether or not you end up agreeing with Gill's balanced, informative and well researched film, Hush will most certainly leave a powerful impact on you as it raises questions, offers answers, raises more questions and, ultimately, challenges you to set aside your own personal agenda in favor of becoming a more informed and active feminist and advocate for women's health.
For more information on the film, visit the Hush website linked to in the credits.
© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
