Backroom Troubles

Jan 1, 1997

0h 51m

★ 0.0

Overview

Women talk about the circumstances that drove them to seek illegal abortions and the often traumatic result. Interwoven with historical photographs and newsreel footage, the stories expose how the reality of women's lives were counterposed to what was socially and morally expected of them.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

Creative New Zealand

Vanguard Films (III)

Community Media Trust

Backroom Troubles Trailers

Cast

Narrator

Andrea Bosshard

Narrator

Jane Bennett

Narrator

Kate Harcourt

Narrator

Kathy McRae

Narrator

Sally Rodwell

Gallipoli from Above: The Untold Story is the true story of how a team of Australian officers used aerial intelligence, emerging technology and innovative tactics to plan the landing at Anzac Cove. It is now nearly 100 years since the landing and hundreds of books, movies and documentaries have failed to grasp the significance of the ANZAC achievement. Instead, the mythology has clouded the real story of how these two influential Australian officers took control of the landing using every innovation they could muster to safely land their men on Z beach.

0.0

The Dark Secrets of Planned Parenthood

Apr 30, 2010

This jaw-dropping exposé goes beyond Planned Parenthood’s deceptive public guise and takes a look at its dark underbelly. You will see how Planned Parenthood is contributing to the moral decline of the United States of America and the murder of millions of innocent children. Follow along as we examine the roots… and (rotten) fruit… of Planned Parenthood.

0.0

Mururoa 1973

Oct 8, 1973

In 1973 Alister Barry joined the crew of a protest boat (The Fri) to Mururoa Atoll, where the French Government were testing nuclear weapons. Barry records the assembly of the crew, the long journey from Northland, and their reception in the test zone; when The Fri was boarded and impounded by French military he had to hide his camera in a barrel of oranges.

8.0

A Quiet Inquisition

Jun 1, 2014

At a public hospital in Nicaragua, Ob/Gyn Dr. Carla Cerrato must choose between following a law that bans all abortions and endangers her patients or taking a risk and providing the care that she knows can save a woman's life. In 2007, Dr. Cerrato’s daily routine took a detour. The newly elected government of Daniel Ortega, a former Marxist revolutionary who converted to Catholicism to win votes, overturned a 130-year-old law protecting therapeutic abortion. The new law entirely prohibits abortion, even in cases of rape, incest, or when a woman’s life is at stake. As Carla and her colleagues navigate this dangerous dilemma, the impact of this law emerges—illuminating the tangible reality of prohibition against the backdrop of a political, religious, and historically complex national identity. The emotional core of the story—the experiences and situations of the young women and girls who are seeking care—illustrate the ethical implications of one doctor's response.

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0.0

The Green Chain

Aug 20, 2011

This homegrown Erin Brockovich story follows former Whakatāne sawmill worker Joe Harawira and his long battle to reveal the impact that workplace toxins have had on his community. In the '80s after being afflicted by health issues, Harawira noticed co-workers getting sick. In 1988 he helped found SWAP (Sawmill Workers Against Poisons) and began investigating the effects of exposure to dioxins, a byproduct of timber treatment.

0.0

In the Theatre of the Gogs

Jun 3, 2021

A contemplation of art and adventure in the southern wilds of New Zealand by both a landscape photographer and an adventure filmmaker. This film is the unexpected result of their two unique perspectives.

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5.5

Kea: The Smartest Parrot

Jan 17, 2005

Sir David Attenborough narrates a documentary about the Kea, the world's only alpine parrot. Playful and destructive, it attacks cars, starts landslides and terrorises New Zealand ski resorts but behind the bad behaviour there's a sharp mind at work. David tries to play chess with a kea and discovers how its cheeky character is the key to its survival.

0.0

Scarlet Girls

Mar 12, 2026

Through intimate narrations and evocative imagery, women across the Dominican Republic reflect on their experiences with forced motherhood and clandestine abortion. What does it mean to exist as a woman in a country where abortion remains criminalized without exception?

8.0

Donna: Women in Revolt

Jan 1, 1980

The story of those Italian women who, for eighty years, have fought against power in all its forms.

10.0

My Feminism

Oct 17, 1997

In an era of antifeminist backlash, this articulate documentary by the makers of Thank God I’m a Lesbian forcefully reminds us that the revolution continues. Powerful interviews with feminist leaders including bell hooks, Gloria Steinem, and Urvsahi Vaid are intercut with documentary sequences to engagingly explore the past and present status of the women’s movement. Discussing the unique contributions of second wave feminism, they explore their racial, economic and ideological differences and shared vision of achieving equality for women. Anessential component of women’s studies curricula, My Feminism introduces feminism’s key themeswhile exposing the cultural fears underlying lesbian baiting, backlash, and political extremism.

8.0

A Seat at the Table

Jul 18, 2019

France makes the most desired, revered and expensive wines in the world. They’ve had centuries to hone their craft. If you make fine wine, France is the benchmark. Or are they? One country famous for punching above its weight is taking on the aristocracy. This is a story featuring the World's most renowned winemakers, critics, writers and fine wine merchants. Travelling from the Old World to the New World we explore the history, culture and tension in the changing world of fine wine, answering that one question - has New Zealand earned a seat at the table?

0.0

Aeon

Nov 1, 2004

Dealing heavily with perceptions of time, Aeon documents the urban cityscape as Wellington transforms through a zen-influenced eternal cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth within a 24-hour period.

5.0

River Deep, Mountain High: James Nesbitt in New Zealand

Dec 25, 2013

James Nesbitt moved to New Zealand in 2011 when he landed the role of Bofur in Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy, but he says the country remains largely unknown to him. Travelling more than 1,000 miles from the tip of the North Island down to the South, the actor finds out more about the place he has called home, visiting areas of natural beauty and learning about the nation's history and traditions. Along the way, he meets former All Blacks player the late great Jonah Lomu, takes a trip around film star Sam Neill's vineyards in Queenstown, catches up with Peter Jackson and goes Base-jumping from the tallest building in Auckland.

4.2

Let It Be Law

Mar 11, 2020

In Argentina, a woman dies every week as the result of illegal abortions. In 2018, for the seventh time, a motion supporting legal, secure and free abortion was presented to the national congress of Argentina. The project provoked a fierce debate, revealing a society divided more than ever between the pro-life and freedom to choose positions. Through an assemblage of passionate testimonies, Let It Be Law documents the determination of women fighting bravely to secure the right to physical self-determination, and bears witness to their massive mobilization in the streets of Buenos Aires.

0.0

Ieri è Oggi

Jun 4, 2025

No overview available.

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0.0

Whakaari – A Heroes' Story

Dec 9, 2020

On December 9, 2019, New Zealand's most active volcano erupted, engulfing 47 day trippers in a toxic ash cloud. 21 lost their lives that day and in the following weeks. Whakaari: A Heroes' Story paints a picture of the chaos and the bravery, and the complex rescue mission to save those stranded on the island.

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0.0

Blakey

Dec 6, 2011

The life and times of sailor and adventurer Sir Peter Blake, one of New Zealand's favourite sons.

6.0

Gender Under Attack

Dec 31, 2018

This documentary portrays the way in which attacks against a twisted concept of “gender ideology” in four countries are being used to gain political power by right-wing conservative politicians supported by conservatives in the Catholic and evangelical churches.

7.3

Writing with Fire

Jan 30, 2021

In a cluttered news landscape dominated by men, emerges India’s only newspaper run by Dalit women. Armed with smartphones, Chief Reporter Meera and her journalists break traditions on the frontlines of India’s biggest issues and within the confines of their own homes, redefining what it means to be powerful.

0.0

Fear Woman

May 1, 1971

The women of Ghana have a reputation for independence. They, rather than the men, sit enthroned at the market stalls and run a large proportion of the nation's retail trade. But Ghanaian women are now thrusting even more vigorously into the arena of power and influence

Backroom Troubles

Overview

Genres

Production Companies

Backroom Troubles Trailers