Controversial abortion film, Unplanned, outperformed projected box office takings in its opening weekend in the US, garnering an estimated $US6.11 million, the fifth highest total of any film for the last weekend of March.
Released by Pure Flix, the film tells the story of Abby Johnson, a former clinic director for Planned Parenthood who was on the frontlines of the fight for abortion rights until the day she saw an ultrasound-guided abortion of a 13-week-old fetus take place.
Michael Scott, president of Pure Flix, said in a statement that having such large audiences at the film’s opening weekend “shows how the topic of abortion is so important to our nation”.
“We hope that those on both sides of the pro-life and pro-choice debate will see Unplanned and begin to have a productive dialogue,” he said. “This film can be that spark to bring more hearts and minds to understanding the value of life.”
The film was given an ‘R’ rating by the Motion Picture Association of America and several TV and radio networks refused to air commercials for it. On the opening weekend, Twitter reportedly briefly suspended the film’s page before it was reinstalled after an outcry.
Ashley Bratcher, who plays Johnson, said she had been blown away by the public response and box office numbers.
“Not only is it beyond my wildest dreams, but it has surpassed the expectations of critics across the country,” she said.
Bratcher made headlines last year when she revealed that during filming she had learnt that her mother had nearly aborted her.
