‘Unplanned’ screening in Africa, thanks to public pressure, say promoters

Dozens of online petitions and campaigns inspired Downtown Entertainment and TruthTV to join forces to show the blockbuster pro-life movie Unplanned in selected theatres in South Africa, Namibia and Zambia, say the joint promoters in a press release.

Regarded as the most influential prolife film ever made, Unplanned is finally reaching African screens on Friday February 28.

Unplanned is a scripted film that tells the real-life story of Abby Johnson, the former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic who became an anti-abortion activist. The film exceeded box office expectations after its theatrical release on March 29, last year in the USA, recouping its $6 million budget in its first weekend. This marks the second-strongest debut for Pure Flix, an American production and distribution company that specialises in Christian movies.

Early in the film, Abby Johnson gives an abortion clinic protester a piece of her mind. She’d just started volunteering at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan, Texas, and was angry at the activists shouting at patients, frightening them with graphic signs and scary costumes. “In what world would a woman run to someone dressed like the Grim Reaper for help with her crisis pregnancy?” Johnson asks one of the anti-abortion protesters.

It’s a surprising scene in a fervently anti-abortion movie, but it feels like a summary of the film’s whole approach: Unplanned distances itself from aggressive anti-abortion protests and advocates a course that is welcoming.

“What we liked about Abby’s story is it kind of covers both extremes and the middle of the abortion issue,” Joe Knopp, a producer for Unplanned said, “There’s an on-ramp for whatever you believe or what you think you believe.”

That’s why more than 80 entities in South Africa have already pledged their collaboration and put their weight behind the film’s marketing. Gauteng viewers can expect a majestic billboard for Unplanned in the province and group bookings are now available at NuMetro Cinemas (contact: sales@numetro.co.za). Should any public want to get involved, the marketing material can be shared via social media with the #WhoWillBeMyVoice #IwillBeYourVoice tools.

“It’s hard to argue with a true story,” Knopp, the producer, said. “It’s really hard to argue with the journey that Abby took.”

Unplanned is described by reviewers and critics as: An honest story with shocking facts that cannot be ignored and will shake perceptions…So keep the tissues handy.

View the trailer below:

Also click on A help page for anyone needing some assistance regarding abortion issues: https://www.unplannedmovie.co.za/

Unplanned will be showed on 28 February 2020 in these theatres:

It will screen at the following theatres:

South Africa
– Western Cape

Nu Metro Canal Walk, Cape Town

Nu Metro Worcester

SterKinekor Garden Route Mall, George

SterKinekor Blue Route, Tokai

SterKinekor Cape Gate, Brackenfell

SterKinekor Parow

SterKinekor Somerset West

SterKinekor Tygervalley, Bellville

Pulp Cinema @ Die Neelsie, Stellenbosch

– Eastern Cape

SterKinekor BayWest, Port Elizabeth

– Free State

Nu Metro Loch Logan, Bloemfontein

Nu Metro Welkom

– Gauteng

Nu Metro Clearwater, Krugersdorp

Nu Metro Parkview, Pretoria

SterKinekor Eastgate, Johannesburg

SterKinekor Brooklyn Commercial, Pretoria

SterKinekor Cradlestone, Krugersdorp

SterKinekor Irene, Centurion

SterKinekor Kolonnade, Pretoria

SterKinekor Mall at Carnival, Brakpan

– Kwa-Zulu Natal

Nu Metro Galleria, Amanzimtoti

Namibia

SterKinekor Maerua Mall, Windhoek

Zambia

Manda Hill, Lusaka