Belly of the Beast (2020)

Belly of the Beast (2020) poster

When a courageous young woman and a radical lawyer discover a pattern of illegal involuntary sterilizations in California’s women’s prison system, they take to the courtroom to wage a near-impossible battle against the Department of Corrections. With a growing team of investigators inside prison working with colleagues on the outside, they uncover a series of statewide crimes - from dangerously inadequate health care to sexual assault to coercive sterilizations - primarily targeting women of color. But no one believes them. This shocking legal drama captured over seven years features extraordinary access and intimate accounts from currently and formerly incarcerated women, demanding our attention to a shameful and ongoing legacy of eugenics and reproductive injustice in the United States.

Director: Erika Cohn
Genre: Documentary, Drama
Runtime: 82 min
Release Date:

Cast

Music: Omar Fadel
Cinematography: Clare Major, Bianca Cline
Editing: Jean Kawahara, Tchavdar Georgiev
Production: ITVS, Idlewild Films, Tribeca Film Institute, Fork Films, Chicken & Egg Films, Black Public Media, Independent Lens, Women Make Movies
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en

Trailer

Belly of the Beast Trailer
More Films by Director: Erika Cohn
More Films in Genre: Documentary, Drama

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Belly of the Beast about?
When a courageous young woman and a radical lawyer discover a pattern of illegal involuntary sterilizations in California’s women’s prison system, they take to the courtroom to wage a near-impossible battle against the Department of Corrections. With a growing team of investigators inside prison working with colleagues on the outside, they uncover a series of statewide crimes - from dangerously inadequate health care to sexual assault to coercive sterilizations - primarily targeting women of color. But no one believes them. This shocking legal drama captured over seven years features extraordinary access and intimate accounts from currently and formerly incarcerated women, demanding our attention to a shameful and ongoing legacy of eugenics and reproductive injustice in the United States.
Who directed Belly of the Beast?
Belly of the Beast was directed by Erika Cohn.
Who stars in Belly of the Beast?
Belly of the Beast stars Kelly Dillon, Cynthia Chandler, Corey Johnson, Courtney Hooks.
How long is Belly of the Beast?
Belly of the Beast has a runtime of 1h 22m (82 minutes).
What genre is Belly of the Beast?
Belly of the Beast is a Documentary, Drama film.
Where was Belly of the Beast produced?
Belly of the Beast was produced in United States of America.