Search - Leona's Sister Gerri on DVD


Leona's Sister Gerri
Leona's Sister Gerri
Actors: Geraldine 'Gerri' Santoro, Leona Gordon (II)
Director: Jane Gillooly
Genres: Television, Documentary
NR     2007     0hr 57min

The tragic and grisly photograph--a woman on a motel floor, dead after an illegal abortion--stirred a nation and inflamed a movement. Now, LEONA?S SISTER GERRI tells the powerful and thought-provoking story of the anonymou...  more »
     
     
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Movie Details

Actors: Geraldine 'Gerri' Santoro, Leona Gordon (II)
Director: Jane Gillooly
Genres: Television, Documentary
Sub-Genres: Television, Biography, Politics
Studio: Docurama
Format: DVD - Color - Closed-captioned
DVD Release Date: 03/27/2007
Original Release Date: 11/02/1995
Theatrical Release Date: 11/02/1995
Release Year: 2007
Run Time: 0hr 57min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 1
Members Wishing: 0
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Languages: English

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Movie Reviews

This my Aunt
William Lord | 05/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my Aunt Gerry. When I was little I was told that she lost her baby while bowling. Then she was gone, leaving my 2 cousins with their father. They left for California. Both had a series of bad marriages, drug problems, etc. One went into the Marines, one married a musician. I only hear tragic tales of their paths. I don't wonder why. I find fault with the air of hush-hush of the times, but can understand how she came to this path. The child of farmer immigrants, there was no example set, not enough time to love and protect. Set out like wild animal babies, they all made due with what they had. What they had was also what they gave their children; myself, cousins, and siblings included. We make choices...she made choices. I had an abortion at 15, then at 18 with a tubal. Worst thing I ever did...EVER. But I made those choices and will bear myself. Abortion must remain legal, but with a broad taste of consultations to be mandatory.
Leona is my Mother."
A Stunning Indictment
John Biavaschi | Brooklyn, New York | 07/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe I saw this documentary on public television series as part of their Independent Focus documentary quite a few years ago. I've never forgotten it, because it haunts me still. From time to time, I would search on the web to find out the name of the film. All I could remember is the subject of the film was "sister Gerri." I'm so glad I was able to connect the dots through Google to finally find the correct title of this stunning documentary.

The image that remains in my mind is the central focus of this story. It's a startling B&W police photo (think Wee Gee) of a naked woman face down in a bare hotel room with her own blood spattered on the carpet. She was the victim of an illegal abortion performed in that very hotel room. The woman was married w/ children and became pregnant through an affair. It was the early 60s and abortions were illegal. She was given the botched procedure and left there alone to die. What a stunning indictment of our country's abortion policy in the pre- Roe v. Wade days. You hear from Gerri's sister and Gerri's own children in the film. At one point Gerri sister Leona realizes that, after seeing this crime scene photo, which was being used as a poster in a pro-abortion marches, actually depicted her own kin. Gerri had literally become the poster child for pro-abortion feminists who rightfully or wrongfully saw this photo as a way to reveal the true horror of botched abortions.

--Siouxie, Brooklyn"
Stunning and heart breaking
Ginger | Los Angeles | 07/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wonderful and tragic film. I would like to thank all involved, especially Leona... how painful doing this must have been, such a brave lady to share this story with us. People need to see the human face of this issue, and this film does it so well, with such respect... More respect than Gerri was shown by those she mistakenly relied on in her life. Just looking at her simple purse, found at the scene brings tears to my eyes.

I first saw the infamous photo of Gerri in the Village Voice, reprinted many years after the event - my stomach dropped and my blood ran cold. It is a simple picture...yet so very heartbreaking. My generation did not have to endure this fate...but it could be that way again. I agree with the sentiment "Never Again". Women should not die needlessly for someone else's self righteous ideals. Life is messy, everything isn't black and white. Everyone should see this, regardless of where they stand politically on this issue. This film shows that it isn't just about ideology - this is about people."