National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section Highlights Reproductive Rights With A Showing of ‘If These Walls Could Talk’ at the Teaneck International Film Festival

TEANECK, NJ (November 16, 2022) - The National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section (NCJW BCS), a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action, is sponsoring a showing and discussion about Nancy Savoca’s 1996 film ‘If These Walls Could Talk’.

The film, part of the Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF), will be screened on Sunday, November 20 at 12 p.m. at Temple Emeth, located at 1666 Windsor Rd, Teaneck NJ. This event is free and open to the general public, but seats must be reserved in advance at https://www.teaneckfilmfestival.org/.

Co-written by Savoca and directed by Cher and Savoca, ‘If These Walls Could Talk’ chronicles the story of three women dealing with unexpected and unwanted pregnancies across three different decades. The film is broken into vignettes where each women faces a hard decision heavily influenced by the abortion laws and popular views of society at the time.

After the film, a talkback will feature Savoca-- who will be joining virtually, Planned Parenthood’s Director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity for Central and Greater Northern New Jersey Tara Norman, and NCJW BCS member and past co-president Bari-Lynne Schwartz, and will be moderated by author Angela Bonavoglia. The panel will discuss how the film's themes are still relevant today as women continue to fight for their reproductive freedom after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

“While abortion is legal in New Jersey, pregnant people in many states in the U.S. now have less rights when it comes to their reproductive freedom than when ‘If These Walls Could Talk’ was initially released in 1996. As we continue to support access to safe and legal abortions as part of every person’s basic health care needs, we could not think of a better film to showcase at this year’s Teaneck International Film Festival,” says Ina Miller Silverstein, Co-President of the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section. “We’d like to thank Nancy, Tara, Angela and Bari-Lynne for their participation and help highlighting this important issue.”

In the film festival’s 17th year, their reigning theme of Activism: Making Change rings more true than ever.  Offering both in person and virtual showings filmgoers have an opportunity to see what TIFF is about - offering a time for untouchable topics to be discussed while fostering appreciation for differences and showing love and understanding to all. To learn more about TIFF please visit https://www.teaneckfilmfestival.org/.

To learn more about the National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section and upcoming events visit www.ncjwbcs.org.

About National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section

Celebrating its 100th anniversary, National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section (NCJW BCS) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW BCS strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.