The Janes

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Film phase:Completed

SYNOPSIS

In 1972, police raided an apartment in Chicago where seven women, part of a clandestine network, were arrested and charged. Using code names, fronts, and safe houses the accused built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves Jane. 

Directed by Oscar®-nominee Tia Lessin and Emmy ®-nominee Emma Pildes, HBO’s The Janes tells the story of a group of unlikely outlaws. Defying the state legislature that outlawed abortion, the Catholic Church that condemned it, and the Chicago Mob that profited from it, members of Jane risked it all to help women in need.

The Janes is a finalist of Project: Hatched 2022

SYNOPSIS

In 1972, police raided an apartment in Chicago where seven women, part of a clandestine network, were arrested and charged. Using code names, fronts, and safe houses the accused built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions. They called themselves Jane. 

Directed by Oscar®-nominee Tia Lessin and Emmy ®-nominee Emma Pildes, HBO’s The Janes tells the story of a group of unlikely outlaws. Defying the state legislature that outlawed abortion, the Catholic Church that condemned it, and the Chicago Mob that profited from it, members of Jane risked it all to help women in need.

The Janes is a finalist of Project: Hatched 2022.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Portrait of Tia Lessin, she wears a long-sleeve shirt, medium length hair and looks at the cameraThe Janes Director Tia Lessin has been making films for more than 25 years; she was nominated for an Academy® Award for her work as a director and producer, with Carl Deal, of Trouble the Water, winner of the 2008 Sundance Grand Jury Prize for documentary and the Gotham Independent Film Award. She directed and produced the Chicken & Egg Pictures supported Citizen Koch, which was shortlisted for an Oscar® in 2014. In 2001, Tia received the Sidney Hillman Award for Broadcast Journalism for her short documentary Behind the Labels. Tia was a producer of Palme d’Or winner Fahrenheit 9/11, Oscar®-winner Bowling for Columbine, and Where to Invade Next and line producer of the Grammy®-winning film No Direction Home: Bob Dylan. Her work in television has earned her two Emmy® nominations and one arrest. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Directors Guild of America.

 

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR & PRODUCER

Portrait of Emma Pildes, she has medium length hair, a necklace, a v neck blouse, and her hair is slightly tilted to the left. Emmy®-nominated filmmaker and Director of The JanesEmma Pildes has an extensive background in nonfiction storytelling. As one of Pentimento Productions’ principal producers, Emma produced Spielberg, Jane Fonda in Five Acts, and Very Ralph–all for HBO Documentary Films with premieres at Sundance Film Festival, Cannes International Film Festival, and New York Film Festival. Spielberg and Jane Fonda in Five Acts were both nominated for Prime Time Emmy® Awards. At PBS’ American Masters, Emma helped to produce the Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning LennoNYC, Emmy® award-winning Inventing David Geffen, as well as American Masters: Billie Jean King.

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS

Profile portrait of Daniel Arcana, he is looking to his left, has a shirt and a jacket, and short hair.

Daniel Arcana is an independent producer, writer, and creative strategist. In addition to co-developing and co-producing The Janes, Daniel is a consulting producer for Doc Shop Productions, where he co-developed TNT’s American Race documentary series featuring Charles Barkley, the Netflix documentary Series Afflicted and the feature film #UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump

Daniel is also the co-founder of Exopolis, an award-winning creative agency, and motion design studio; best known for the network launch of  Nicktoons and its work for Apple, including the global launches of both the original iPhone and the iPod “colors” campaign.

 

Portrait of Jessica Levin, she has a v neck blouse, a necklac, medium length hair parted in the middle

Emmy® and Peabody award-winning producer Jessica Levin devoted her career to creating high-quality non-fiction films, bringing to each project her seasoned approach to archival material and inventive storytelling. She collaborated with Susan Lacy on the American Masters documentaries Joni Mitchell: A Woman of Heart and Mind, Judy Garland: By Myself, No  Direction Home: Bob Dylan, Annie Leibovitz: Life Through A Lens, LennoNYC, and Inventing David Geffen. As one of Pentimento’s principal producers, Jessica most recently produced Spielberg, Jane Fonda in Five Acts, Very Ralph, and The Janes–all for HBO  Documentary Films and garnering two Emmy® nominations.