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24 WOCHEN/ 24 WEEKS
Germany, 2016, 104 minutes, Colour.
Julia Jentsch, Bjarne Madel, Joanna Gastdorf, Emilia Pieske.
Directed by Anna Zohra Berrached.
This is one of those films that takes on a very difficult topical issue, that of the termination of pregnancy, a controversial issue which can divide audiences, Pro-life, Pro-choice. But, it is a film that should be recommended to campaigners on both sides. It is one of those films that is able to present a variety of points of view, challenging audiences in their firm beliefs and opening up possibilities of thinking in other directions.
American Archbishop Rembert Weakland once said that he could not write a pastoral letter on this kind of issue for his diocese of Milwaukee unless he had spent a year experiencing with a variety of people the reality of the issues under consideration in 24 Weeks is the kind of film that is essential for this kind of consultation.
It is a German production, featuring talented actress Julia Jentsch (once upon a time the leading role as Sophie Scholl). This time she is Astrid, a stand-up comedian, very popular with audiences, especially women, and at the beginning of the film, obviously pregnant – which she is also able to chat about. She is not married to her partner, Markus, but the film shows they have an extraordinary love and devotion towards each other, sharing everything and, ultimately, differences of opinion about abortion but each standing by the other.
The film takes a tragic turn when the parents are told by the doctors that their child has Downs Syndrome. They make a decision to keep the child and visit centres with Downs Syndrome children and adults, enjoying the visit, sharing the concern with the Downs children, joining in an exuberant dance night. However, the couple’s eight-year-old boy is rather repelled by the idea of having a Downs Syndrome brother.
Family and friends seem to be able to accept the news, Astrid’s mother offering support and being invited to live in, especially to the benefit of their son.
Further visits to the doctors indicate that the baby has two holes in the heart. Explanations are given about the nature of the surgery required and the prospects. This is where the idea of termination becomes quite significant. The father is against abortion, being accused of having some Christian guilt, but not feeling that it was right to kill a child and that he had a responsibility as well as his pregnant wife.
Astrid seriously considers the termination, goes to a hospital, sees a child in an incubator and touches it. She consults the doctors about the nature of termination and the details of the procedure – which are shared with the audience, no holds barred. Astrid also has a discussion with the midwife who assists in the procedures, sympathetic but leaving it to Astrid’s judgement about what is to be done and what would happen concerning the body of the child, the induced birth procedure, the holding of the baby or not…
The film makes a case for not terminating. The film also makes the case about the quality of life of the child if it comes to term and has to experience a great deal of surgery (the parents and the audience by this stage have almost forgotten Downs Syndrome).
The film stresses that this is most significant for the mother, her empathy with her infant in the womb, alive and kicking.
Astrid, at the end, goes on radio to make a statement. But in the noise from the audience as the film moves to the final credits, many will probably miss a key moment, the very last words in the film, whispered by Astrid: “I miss you”.
This film could be an important contribution to discussions about abortion and termination and the repercussions for mother, father, infant.
1. The title, indication of pregnancy, pregnancy issues, Downs Syndrome, babies with holes in the heart, issues of bringing them up, terminating? And the effect on the mother, on the father?
2. The German perspective, medical background, pros and cons, the hospital and medical care? Downs Syndrome and possible help? The surgery for holes in the heart, the issue of quality of life of the child?
3. The pros and cons of termination, a film for both sides to see and to estimate the medical issues, the human issues, life and quality of life?
4. Astrid, performer, jokes, about pregnancy? Her relationship with Markus, not married, yet the deep love, devotion, understanding and shared life, the love for their son – and his touch of being brattish? Her mother, having the nip and tuck, not dealing well with her husband’s death, the family background?
5. Astrid, the interview with the doctor, the explanation of Downs Syndrome, her initial reaction, the decision with Markus, going to meet the Downs children, enjoying the visit, songs, dancing, talking, explanations? The son and his being hostile? The meal, Astrid telling the group, the variety of reactions? The mother’s support? The baby sitter refusing, Astrid calling her fascist, her son refusing? Her mother coming to live in?
6. Her career, contracts, having to cope, going on stage, the episode with stage fright, walking off? The radio interviews? The final radio interview and her declaring about the termination?
7. Women’s perspectives, Astrid and her jokes, pregnancy at the forefront, the number of weeks, the mother experiencing the kicking of the child, empathy for the child, choosing names? The difficult choices, with partner, the strong statements – especially from Markus and his feeling it was not right to terminate the child?
8. The doctors, the information about holes in the heart, the nature of the surgery? Astrid visiting the incubators, touching the child, Markus touching the child, a moment of decision against giving birth?
9. The tensions between the couple, her talking to her mother, Markus talking to the mother? The discussion about Christians guilt? Astrid visiting the church?
10. The explanation of the termination procedure by the doctor, the injecting of the baby, inducing the birth? The audience seeing all of this? The midwife, her role, explaining the choices, the baby put on the mother’s breast after its death, the 24 hours, footprints…? Markus present at the procedure, sharing even though he was against it? Astrid and her wondering what she had done, both right and wrong?
11. The media intrusion, the news, her going onto the radio, and declaration about the abortion?
12. The final whisper before the credits, Astrid whispering that she missed the child?