Experiencing Interruptions?

EXPECTING

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EXPECTING tells the story of Lena, a young teacher, wife, and mother, who accidentally gets pregnant for a second time. This comes as a big surprise, because she and her husband only managed to conceive their first daughter through IVF. Lena is happy with her life as it is, and she quickly decides she doesn’t want another baby. But the hardest part comes after making this decision – she finds herself having to justify her choice to her husband and sister, as well as doctors, pregnancy counsellors, and many others. On this difficult path, Lena must navigate a maze of questions, doubts, and unsolicited opinions, which often undermine her bodily autonomy.

Esther Rauch

Director
Esther Rauch

Writer
Anneke Janssen

Writer
Wiebke Mercier

Producer
Carolin Engstfeld

Producer
Laura Berlin

Key Cast

Vikings: Valhalla
Ludwig Trepte

Key Cast

Deutschland 83
Luise von Finckh

Key Cast

Project Title (Original Language):

BAUCHGEFÜHL
Project Type:

Television
Runtime:

1 hour 30 minutes
Completion Date:

March 1, 2024
Production Budget:

650,000 EUR
Country of Origin:

Germany
Country of Filming:

Germany
Language:

German
Shooting Format:

Digital
Aspect Ratio:

16:9
Film Color:

Color
First-time Filmmaker:

No
Student Project:

No
Digital Cinema Package:

Unavailable

Distribution Information

ZDF Studios

Distributor

Country: Germany

Rights: All Rights

Director Biography - Esther Rauch

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Director Statement

An article on the subject of abortion appears almost daily. Perhaps also because - contrary to what women expect in 2022 - a step backwards is taking place in many countries. Whether in Poland with the abortion ban, which came into force in 2021, or the stricter abortion regulations in Hungary,
which, as of a few weeks ago, require women to listen to the heartbeat of the embryo before having an abortion.
In the USA, too, the US Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion in the state of Texas as recently as June of this year.
And since then abortions have been banned in 13 states - the country has been catapulted back into the Middle Ages in this respect. In comparison, Germany seems
more liberal, but women are still drawn to the streets to fight for their rights.
Not least because of §218 the Criminal Code, which still stipulates a possible prison sentence of up to five years. It is only since this year that gynecologists have been allowed
to communicate publicly that they perform abortions.
In addition, women are often only "forgiven" by society for having an abortion if they have an obvious, external reason for the abortion. Such reasons include teenage pregnancies, rape, the prospect of single parenthood or poverty. But there are
situations in which women in stable relationships and stable circumstances are not ready for pregnancy and a child.
These can be concrete fears and worries, but also a lifestyle
that stands in the way of a family life. Women who have an abortion for these reasons often do not dare to take others into their confidence and are often criticized by those around them for their "reckless" decision.
It is therefore all the more important to take up this very topical subject for a series and to shed light on an individual fate that serves as a pars pro toto for the self-determined life of women.
Compared to other countries, there are fewer obvious structural barriers to abortion in Germany.

In Lena's story, we follow the path of a woman who does not become a mother and her associated development as a wife, mother, sister, friend and human being.