Film Critic David Denby, Prof. Richman to Discuss Abortion at Screening of "Vera Drake"

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New York, Feb. 10, 2010 – The critically acclaimed film Vera Drake will be shown as part of an abortion law seminar at Columbia Law School, followed by a discussion of the issues the award-winning film raises with The New Yorker’s film critic David Denby .
 
Also taking part in the discussion is Daniel Richman , the Paul J. Kellner Professor of Law, and a former federal prosecutor.
 
The event will take place Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Columbia Law School, Jerome Greene Hall, Room 107. Admission is free.
 
Vera Drake, directed by Mike Leigh, tells the story of a working-class woman in post-war London who cleans houses to help support a loving family, but also performs backroom abortions for poor women without charging them. Her eventual arrest sets off a shattering chain of events.
 
The movie won three BAFTA Awards, the British equivalent of the Academy Awards, including one for Imelda Staunton in the title role. Staunton was also nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe.
 
The film and discussion are part of a seminar called Abortion: Law in Context, taught by Carol Sanger , the Barbara Aronstein Black Professor of Law.
 
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