Lake of Fire (2006)

 

 

 

Lake of Fire is a documentary film which premiered in 2006. The topic is the history of abortion in the US; a topic which can raise strong feelings one way or the other in the US.

 

Here is some basic information about it:

 

** Writer, producer and director: Tony Kaye

** Editor: Peter Goddard

** Run time: 152 minutes

 

This film was shot in black-and-white over a period of more than fifteen years. British filmmaker Tony Kaye spent six million US dollars of his own money on this project.

 

Several persons are interviewed in this film. Their names are listed in alphabetical order. Some are pro-choice, while others are pro-life. If you want to know who is pro-choice and who is pro-life, you can Google the names or you can watch the film and listen to what each of them have to say.

 

** Bill Baird - activist

** Philip “Flip” Benham - Operation Rescue

** Dallas Blanchard – Professor of Sociology, University of West Florida

** Pat Buchanan – Republican presidential candidate

 

** John Burt – activist

** Andrew Cabot – activist

** Noam Chomsky – Professor of Linguistics, MIT

** Frederick Clarkson – author

 

** Alan Dershowitz – Professor of Law, Harvard University

** Kevin Fitzpatrick – Professor of Sociology, University of Alabama

** Mary Lou Greenberg – activist, writer

** David Gunn Junior – son of Dr David Gunn who was killed by an anti-abortion activist in March 1993

 

** Nat Hentoff – author

** Allan Keyes – Republican presidential candidate

** Francis Kissling – Catholics for Free Choice

** Emily Lions – a nurse, victim of a bomb attack in 1998

 

** Pat Mahoney – Christian Defense Coalition

** Cardinal Roger Mahoney – Archbishop of Los Angeles

** Norma McCorvey – plaintiff in Jane Roe vs. Wade

** Kate Michelman – National Abortion Rights Action League

 

** Ellen Moskowitz – lawyer

** Jerry Reiter – author

** Peter Singer – Professor of Bio-ethics, antoffdddddddgggggggggddjjjjjPrinceton University

** Bonnie Steinbock – Professor of Philosophy, University of Albany

 

** Randall Terry – Operation Rescue

** David Trosch – Life Enterprises Unlimited

** Sarah Weddington – one of two lawyers who took the case Jane Roe vs. Wade all the way to the US Supreme Court

 

** Father Norman Westlin – The Lambs of Christ

** Jeff White – Operation Rescue, California

** Michele Wilson – Professor of Sociology, University of Alabama

 

Archive footage is used to supplement the statements made in interviews. For instance:

 

# 1. Clips of a speech which is given in public

# 2. Clips from a trial which is recorded on television

# 3. Clips from television news reports

 

In this film, both sides have a chance to present their point of view. The director has interviewed people who support pro-choice and people who support pro-life. This film is not one-sided. It is balanced. In fact, it is so balanced that you may have a hard time deciding where the director himself stands on this issue.

 

Perhaps this is because the director is in conflict with himself. He made this film hoping to find some clarity on this issue. In his mind, he is pro-choice; in his heart, he is pro-life. Both sides have a good case. It is not easy to decide who is right.

 

What about the title? Why did the director choose this title? What does it mean? The title seems to be inspired by two statements made by two persons. Let me explain:

 

(1) In the beginning of the film there is a clip with a man who supports pro-life. This man talks about what happens when we die. He believes we will be divided into two categories:

 

** If you have found God, you will go to Heaven. You will live forever in a beautiful paradise, and you will be with Jesus all the time. This is your reward

** If you have not found God, you will go to Hell. You will live forever in a horrible Lake of Fire. This is your punishment.

 

(2) Towards the end of the film there is a clip with a woman who supports pro-choice. This woman was the victim of a bomb-attack in 1998. She survived, but suffered serious injuries. In the clip she explains that she has been living in a Lake of Fire ever since the bomb-attack.

 

This film premiered in 2006, more than ten years ago. Since then, the American debate about abortion has continued with increasing intensity. Stereotypes are being developed:

 

Who is pro-life?

The typical pro-life person supports the Republican Party, supports the death penalty, supports a growing military budget and is against the introduction of universal health care. For this person, the Bible is regarded as the first and sometimes the only source of inspiration.

 

Who is pro-choice?

The typical pro-choice person supports the Democratic Party, is against the death penalty, is against a growing military budget and supports the introduction of universal healthcare. For this person, the Bible is not regarded as the first and only source of inspiration.

 

While stereotypes are simplifications, they are often based on a kernel of truth. The US population is increasingly divided. Abortion is an example of an issue which is causing deep and lasting divisions of American society.

 

What do reviewers say about this film? Here are the results of three review aggregators:

 

82 percent = IMDb

83 percent = Meta

91 percent = Rotten Tomatoes (the audience)

94 percent = Rotten Tomatoes (the critics)

 

The famous movie critic Roger Ebert (1942-2013) posted a review of this film in October 2007. He likes it, even though some parts of this “brave” film are, as he puts it, “virtually unwatchable.” He offers 3.5 of 4 stars, which is a rating of 88 percent. Here is a brief quote from his review:

 

“The film has been a life’s work for Kaye, a British citizen, now 55, who has been filming it on and off for 17 years. He shot in 35mm wide-screen, using black and white (color would be unbearable). At 152 minutes, his film doesn’t seem long, because at every moment something absorbing, disturbing, depressing or infuriating is happening.”

 

As you can see, the ratings are quite good. If you ask me, the numerous positive reviews are fully justified. I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).

 

A REFERENCE

The following item is available online: Ed Pilkington, “Right to choose? British filmmaker tackles the debate that divides US,” The Guardian, 23 October 2007.

 

FOUR FILMS WHICH FOCUS ON ABORTION

** After Tiller (2013)

** Reversing Roe (2018)

** Ask for Jane (2018)

** AKA Jane Roe (2020)

 

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Another poster for the film

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