The anti-abortion movie Unplanned began screening in select theatres in Canada on Friday, including the Lethbridge Movie Mill, and the decision to show it has not been without controversy.
However, despite the outrage expressed by some pro-choice advocates over the film being screened, the first screening in Lethbridge was a quiet event.
The American film is being screened in more than 40 Canadian theatres and has been the subject of fierce criticism from pro-choice advocates in Lethbridge and beyond.
Binning also said he’s hired additional security for the opening weekend as a precaution, but hopes it won’t be necessary.
“My young staff does not need to deal with any political fallout from showing movies — regardless of popular opinion.”
Watch below: (From July 9, 2019) Controversial movie Unplanned sparks protests. Jamie Mauracher reports.
The film is based on a true story, and follows the journey of a Planned Parenthood clinic director turned pro-life advocate. While some Canadians have taken to social media to voice their concerns over the narrative portrayed, when Global News spoke to some of the first people to buy tickets in Lethbridge, they were welcoming of the story the movie is telling.
“I think it’s really important to have the movie screened because it’s a biographical film telling one woman’s abortion story,” said Colette Aikema, who lives in Lethbridge.
“I think it’s really important that we hear other women’s abortion stories.”
Despite earlier threats, no protests were staged on Friday during the first showing. The Pro-Choice Society said on its Facebook page that “while we support and empower a pregnant person’s right to choose,” it was not within their mandate to organize a protest.
The movie is set to run for one week but Binning said Unplanned could run longer, depending on demand.
Wait, There’s More: The controversy surrounding Unplanned