In the lead-up to Tuesday’s election, where abortion rights are central in multiple states, director Nazrin Choudhury’s Oscar-nominated short Red, White and Blue feels both urgent and poignant. This film, centering on a single mother’s search for abortion access, has arrived on YouTube just in time to resonate with viewers contemplating the issue. Choudhury, a British-born filmmaker, believes that while the film’s topic is considered “timely,” it’s an unfortunate reflection of a persistent, seemingly timeless struggle.
“People talk about the timing of this subject, especially with the upcoming election,” she shares with The Hollywood Reporter. “But sadly, it’s timeless to me. We keep needing to tell this story, to say ‘Let’s make this story irrelevant.’ But here we are, compelled to share stories of real Americans.”
Since earning its 2024 Oscar nomination, Red, White and Blue has screened strategically across the United States, aiming to reach viewers across the political spectrum. Set in Arkansas, the story follows Brittany Snow’s portrayal of a single mother who must cross state lines to access abortion services. Executive produced by Samantha Bee, the film has already garnered powerful feedback since its YouTube debut this week, as confirmed by Choudhury and the production teams, Majic Ink Productions and Level Forward.
In the days leading up to the election, the film’s release was part of a larger conversation event, held Wednesday with students and faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, and also live-streamed to NYU. The event featured a panel of influential speakers, including Choudhury, LaTosha Brown of Black Voters Matter, and Strict Scrutiny podcast hosts, Professors Melissa Murray and Kate Shaw. For Choudhury, engaging with students who will “inherit this legacy” was profoundly moving.
“I think it’s critical because this is the generation that’s going to inherit our mistakes,” she says. “We need to break the cycle, as it always seems to fall on them to handle the repercussions left by older generations.”
Funding this project was a personal journey for Choudhury. She even discussed with her own children the possibility of drawing from their college savings to complete the film. Red, White and Blue has been showcased in church communities in Arizona and Wisconsin—areas where, initially, she assumed resistance might arise. However, the screenings have often led to open and thoughtful discussions about reproductive rights, with community members surprisingly willing to engage.
“Our goal has been to identify communities where this conversation is needed most and organize benefit screenings,” says Choudhury. “And now, in this final push, it’s about bringing it to the forefront as our futures, especially as women, are being decided at the ballot box.”
Reflecting on recent statements by Vice President Kamala Harris about the dire state of reproductive healthcare access, Choudhury adds, “When VP Harris says women are bleeding out, I relate. I was lucky enough to be in a hospital, but others aren’t as fortunate. I wanted to release this film with urgency and impact.”
The short film will continue streaming on YouTube through the election, with each view generating donations to the Purple Parlor Fund. These proceeds will support non-partisan organizations focused on reproductive rights, justice, and amplifying the film’s message at a crucial time. As audiences across the nation tune in, Choudhury hopes her film encourages dialogue, awareness, and ultimately, change.
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