On The Divide follows the story of three Latinx people living in McAllen, Texas who, despite their views, are connected by the most unexpected of places: the last abortion clinic on the U.S./Mexico border. As threats to the clinic and their personal safety mount, these three are forced to make decisions they never could have imagined.
On the Divide
Synopsis
As millions of Americans stand to lose their access to abortion, communities of color and low-income communities will be most impacted. On The Divide tells the story of Whole Women’s Health, the last remaining abortion clinic on the Texas US-Mexico border. The film breaks away from politics to show all sides of the story. We meet the clinic’s security guard, Rey, a fervent Catholic in his late sixties; Denisse, a young mother of four who volunteers as a clinic escort; and Mercedes, an ex-gang member and mother who is now part of the pro-life Church movement; as well as other members of the Latinx community who find themselves in the “grey area” of the national debate. Filmmakers Maya Cueva and Leah Galant demonstrate how people who once held rigid beliefs can change—and what choice and survival really look like for those most affected.
“We made this film because we wanted to highlight the nuances in religion and abortion and really focus on a Latinx community that is often misrepresented in the news or is not highlighted around the issue of abortion. We wanted to show all the intersections that come into play and why people make the choice that they make.”—Maya Cueva, Co-Director, On the Divide
“Our characters share many cultural similarities, and their stories create space for connection and dialogue as opposed to division. Their stories demonstrate how people who once held rigid beliefs can change and what choice and survival really looks like for those in the heart of the battle surrounding reproductive rights.”—Maya Cueva and Leah Galant, Directors, On the Divide
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Photo © On The Divide LLC
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Photo © On The Divide LLC
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Photo © On The Divide LLC
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Photo © On The Divide LLC
"I want people to understand that the issue surrounding abortion is not a black and white issue. Many people fall in the gray area with how they feel on the issue, and we need to start having conversations about abortion beyond the debate of pro-choice vs. pro-life. Oftentimes, white women are centered in the conversation around reproductive healthcare, when Black and Brown people are impacted the most. I think it’s important that we focus on the people that will be directly impacted if access to choice is stripped away, and how through the journey’s of our protagonists, we see how choice is necessary for survival. I think that people on either side of the issue might interpret all three of our characters as only on one side of the abortion debate -- but they will be surprised by how complex Rey, Mercedes, and Denisse actually are." - Maya Cueva, Director and Sound Designer, On The Divide
October 30, 2024
October 21, 2024
Credits
Maya Cueva
Director and Sound Recordist
Leah Galant
Director and Director of Photography
Diane Becker
Producer
Melanie Miller
Producer
Amanda Spain
Producer
Elizabeth Woodward
Producer