Skip to main content

Deep Dive: Backroom Troubles (1997)

Film Lens

Backroom Troubles
Backroom Troubles presents the stories of women in New Zealand who sought illegal abortions, revealing the societal pressures and moral expectations they faced. The film interweaves personal testimonies with historical photographs and newsreel footage, illustrating the stark contrast between women's realities and societal norms during that time. The documentary captures the traumatic experiences of these women, shedding light on the legal and social landscape of abortion in Aotearoa in 1997. By focusing on individual narratives, it emphasizes the urgent need for women's rights and the impact of restrictive abortion laws on their lives.

Why Watch

  • Meet women sharing their illegal abortion experiences.
  • See historical footage of New Zealand's abortion debates.
  • Find out about the impact of abortion laws on women's lives.

Did You Know

The film features women from New Zealand discussing illegal abortions.
It includes historical photographs and newsreel footage from the era.
The documentary runs for 51 minutes and was released in 1997.

Perfect For

Women's rights advocatesHistory enthusiastsAbortion law researchers