Belly of the Beast (2020 film)

Belly of the Beast is a 2020 documentary film by Erika Cohn about the illegal sterilization practices in the Central California Women’s Facility and other female penitentiaries. Made over a period of seven years, the 82-minute movie documents the fight of one inmate (Kelli Dillon) and her lawyer against the Department of Corrections.[2][3]

Belly of the Beast
Film poster
Directed byErika Cohn
Music byOmar Fadel
Release date
  • June 11, 2020 (2020-06-11) (HRW)[1]
Running time
82 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Their investigations inside prison, with assistance from outside allies, uncover statewide criminal practices ranging from poor healthcare, sexual abuse and assault, coercive sterilizations, and the targeting of women of color.[4]

The film was supported by the Tribeca Film Institute through the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund (2015), the TFI Network (2017), and the TFI Pond5 Program (Spring 2019).[5] 20% of proceeds from the film went to support the Women and Justice Project.[6]

Reception edit

It was the Opening Night Film at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in 2020[7] and was named a New York Times Critic's Pick.[8] The Washington Post listed the film as "a movie to stream" in October 2020.[9] It was in the American Library Association's 2022 list of Notable Films for Adults.[10] On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an aggregated score of 100% based on 17 critic reviews.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ "Belly of the Beast". ff.hrw.org. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Belly Of The Beast (2020) Movie Review from Eye for Film". www.eyeforfilm.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  3. ^ "Belly of the Beast [Online]". Northwest Film Forum. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  4. ^ "Facets : Cinematheque Schedule: Belly of the Beast". www.facets.org. Archived from the original on 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  5. ^ "Tribeca Film Institute". www.tfiny.org. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  6. ^ "Belly of the Beast — maysles documentary center". mayslesdocumentary center. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  7. ^ "Human Rights Watch Film Fest 2020 Women Directors: Meet Erika Cohn – "Belly of the Beast"". womenandhollywood.com. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  8. ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (2020-10-15). "'Belly of the Beast' Review: Fighting for Incarcerated Women". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  9. ^ "New Streaming Movie Roundup". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2020-10-15.
  10. ^ DALDERSON (2022-02-01). "ALA Film and Media Round Table announces 2022 Notable Films for Adults". News and Press Center. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  11. ^ "Belly of the Beast". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 9, 2022.

External links edit