Abortion Access For All! Forever? | SF DocFest 2026
Volunteering in a post-Roe America.
Dear Moviegoers,
I've heard time and time again how America is "at a crossroads" in my time as a voting citizen. From the Iraq War and the Great Recession to the Tea Party and COVID-19, it all seems to fall on the voters to fix the mistakes that our elected officials have made. And, sometimes even, our non-elected ones.
Why?
Why does it have to be this way?
It doesn't.
Human Shield showcases a group of regular citizens who, through care and gumption, protect others - namely, women - from harassment and abuse, from car to door, on a day-to-day basis. They're clinic escorts for those seeking healthcare and maybe abortions, which, of course, is their business to sort with their doctors. Away from the ignorant eyes of extremists, rainbow-colored umbrellas and orange vests cover the clients from forced shame and potential retaliation. It's the most these volunteers can offer, but it matters so much.
More often than not, I come across righteous documentaries like this one, armed with good intentions but full of filmmaking blah. These stories are massively important to hear and see, especially in the time of the SCOTUS and conservative-made collapse of Roe v Wade, but it's also important how they're heard and seen. Human Shield is, unfortunately, too long and overly been there/done that.
It's not bad or poor, just a bunch of meh, and I'm really sorry to write that. Redundant where it didn't have to be, and occasionally withheld when it should've let loose, Human Shield, as a documentary, is more focused on everything and everyone, and less on the subjects that share the title of the movie.
Still, despite such issues with duration and problematic guiding, the film does manage to be compelling through and through. Honorable protests, brave community action in the face of belligerence, and the sheer heart of empathy and doing what's right give Human Shield things that can be missing from plenty of films in the medium. Things such as optimism. Things like truth to power. Things like perseverance.
While mostly happening in states that saw victory from Republican bigotry against women, there is some glossing over of the regions that, unfortunately, have passed heavy restrictions or outright bans on abortion rights. They're mentioned, but almost ignored. Was this a film of liberal fantasy-play? Not really, though the content could've and should've done a bit more to match the reach.
Of course, I'm not a filmmaker myself.
If Human Shield excels at anything, it's in its great passion for expressing the stakes of its central problem. America's problem. Our problem. Once more, it's up to voters to clean up and codify. Will we get the chance? Will we take the opportunity in droves?
I hope so. 2.5/5
Human Shield is coming to the 25th SF Documentary Festival. Click on the banner below for more information.
