The state of Georgia’s anti-abortion “Heartbeat Bill” – which would ban abortion after just 5-6 weeks of pregnancy – has rightfully provoked a large retaliation, with many calling for its boycotting by film productions. However, with an upcoming production in the state and no time to relocate, Jordan Peele (of Get Out and Us fame) and JJ Abrams have decided upon another way to help.
100% of the directors’ episodic fees from Lovecraft Country, their upcoming horror series, will go to ACLU of Georgia and Fair Right Georgia in support of the “Heartbeat Bill” protest.
“In a few weeks we start shooting our new show, Lovecraft Country and will do so standing shoulder to shoulder with the women of Georgia,” say Monkeypaw Productions and Bad Robot, Peele and Abrams’s respective production companies, in a statement.
“Governor Kemp’s ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Abortion Law is an unconstitutional effort to further restrict women and their health providers from making private medical decisions on their terms. Make no mistake, this is an attack aimed squarely and purposely at women… We encourage those who are able to funnel any and all resources to these organizations.”
And why are film companies, specifically, taking it upon themselves to oppose this bill with such force? Well Georgia’s popularity as a location stems from its uncapped tax incentive for film productions, with many films and shows such as Ozark and The Walking Dead shooting there.
Hopefully a steep drop in support for the state will hit the government where it hurts – their pockets – and help to stave off the passing of the anti-abortion bill.
