Pro-Life Film '40' Tackles Most Popular Pro-Abortion Arguments

By Tyler O'Neil, Op-ed contributor Thursday, January 23, 2014

2 photosThe 40 FilmThe official poster for the film "40," which commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the March for Life with testimonies from those who suffered from abortion, and addressing the arguments of pro-choice activists.

A new film available in theaters celebrates the 40th March for Life (observed last year) and commemorates the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade by presenting pro-life testimonies against the most popular arguments for abortion.

"I am a pro-life evangelizer, I feel like Saint Paul," John E. Morales, producer and director of "40," told The Christian Post in an interview Thursday. Despite his own hard work, Morales gave God the credit for the film. "The Holy Spirit is the real director of this film," he said.

"40" addresses the key arguments for Roe v. Wade and the pro-abortion movement in America by presenting testimonies of post-abortive women, men and women who survived abortions, and activists for the pro-life cause. Morales says it answers "all the arguments from the pro-abortion side with a myriad of testimonies."

The film opens and closes with pro-life speaker Yvonne Florczak-Seeman, Morales told CP. "She had five abortions and then fell in love with Jesus Christ," he explained. According to her booking website, Florczak-Seeman began using drugs and even attempted suicide to dull the post-abortive pain. She is now raising four children and speaking out for the unborn and post-abortive women.

In the film's trailer, Florczak-Seeman addresses the argument that "when abortion is illegal, women die." Florczak-Seeman responds, saying, "No, no, no, women are dying today – in Planned Parenthood clinics!"

Regarding "freedom of choice," she stresses, "If you're looking at this film today and you're thinking you want to exercise your freedom of choice, just know that that freedom will be with you for the rest of your life, and that regret will never go away."

Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director, tackles the old argument that abortion should be "safe, legal, and rare," saying, "The only thing right now out of those three that we're living with is that it's legal." Johnson also claims that "part of being pro-life is fighting for the rights of the mother, because she is being lied to, she is being deceived."

Actress Jennifer Cadena also makes an appearance. "I love women so much that that's why I'm pro-life," she states.

According to the director, the film also includes two former abortionists "who explain from a scientific perspective why human life begins at conception or fertilization." Further shedding light on this argument, the film presents activists who survived an abortion, like Ryan Bomberger, chief creative officer of The Radiance Foundation. Morales is also an abortion survivor.

"I am not only post abortive, but also the adopted father of an almost-aborted boy," Morales declared. He admitted that his son, "Joseph Dominic, could be one of the 56 million babies that have died since Roe v. Wade." Morales shared the story of his son's mother, a Mexican immigrant who couldn't afford the child.

"My adopted baby could have been one of those 825 aborted in the Hispanic community every day," the director said.

The "40" film also includes a segment on the power of prayer and fasting, featuring the group "40 Days for Life," as well as prominent African-American pro-life leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s niece, Alveda King, and the young activist Star Parker.

Despite being "directed by the Holy Spirit," and presenting pro-life arguments, the film is neither religious nor political, the director noted. "I'm a devout Catholic but the film is not a religious film," he explained. Morales argued that the truth is universal, regardless of faith or political affiliation.

"We want to bring it to high schools, colleges, universities, and churches of all denominations," he said.

"Our film will inspire, will motivate, will educate the present generation of young people about speaking out for the unborn," he declared, arguing that today's young people, known as the Millennials, form "the generation that will end abortion."

The film was released on Dec. 11 in Chicago's Pickwick Theater, which holds over 900 people. Morales recalled two standing ovations after the opening screening.

Morales said the film has been blessed by The Holy Spirit, and reported that his team has raised "well over six figures" in private donations to fund the project. He himself left a successful job as a Fox Chicago sports newscaster to advocate against abortion.

The director is working with Tugg, an organization which distributes films to local theaters based on interest in the area. "The requests are overwhelming, from all fifty states, from Ireland, even from Australia," he said. To request a showing in your area, visit www.the40film.com.