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Three production companies said they will no longer film in Georgia after the state passed a controversial abortion law.
On Tuesday, Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, signed a law that effectively bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy according to theNew York Times. TheTimesreports that six weeks of pregnancy is usually when doctors can start to detect a fetal heartbeat, but it is also before many women realize they are pregnant.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, Georgia’s tax incentives make it a popular location to shoot films and television series. (For example,Black Panther,The Walking DeadandStranger Thingshave all been shot in the state.)
David Simon, who createdThe Wireand now runs Blown Deadline Productionswroteon Twitter on Wednesday: “I can’t ask any female member of any film production with which I am involved to so marginalize themselves or compromise their inalienable authority over their own bodies. I must undertake production where the rights of all citizens remain intact. Other filmmakers will see this.”
In a follow-up tweet, Simoncontinued, “Can only speak for my production company. Our comparative assessments of locations for upcoming development will pull Georgia off the list until we can be assured the health options and civil liberties of our female colleagues are unimpaired.”
Meanwhile, CEO of Killer Films Christine Vachontweetedon Thursday: “Killer Films will no longer consider Georgia as a viable shooting location until this ridiculous law is overturned.” The company is behind movies includingVox LuxandCarol.
Mark Duplass, who started the production company Duplass Brothers Productions with his brother, also shared a similar message.
“Don’t give your business to Georgia,” hewroteon Thursday. “Will you pledge with me not to film anything in Georgia until they reverse this backwards legislation?”
Despite the statements from these three companies,THRnotes that many major film studios have not put out a similar message.
The Motion Picture Association of America — which represents five big film studios — toldTHRthat it will “monitor developments” in the law before making a decision.
Celebrities includingAlyssa MilanoandBusy Philippshave also spoken out about the new abortion law.
“SO F—D UP,” Milanotweetedon Wednesday in reference to the law, while also retweeting similar sentiments.
Meanwhile, Philippsshared her own abortion storyon Tuesday night’sepisodeofBusy Tonightin response to the signing of the law.
“The statistic is that one in four women will have an abortion before age 45,” the actress said. “That statistic sometimes surprises people, and maybe you’re sitting there thinking, ‘I don’t know a woman who would have an abortion.’”
Busy Philipps.
“Well, you know me,” she added, visibly emotional. “I had an abortion when I was 15 years old and I’m telling you this because I’m genuinely really scared for women and girls all over the country.”
source: people.com
