Irish film Twice Shy to encourage audiences to think twice on abortion

Twice Shy, a highly anticipated Irish independent film, will seek to make audiences consider the hot-button topic of abortion.
The feature from director Tom Ryan will tackle the contentious issue in a light hearted and relatable manner, and is expected to be unveiled at the Dublin Film Festival next month.
Boasting an impressive cast including Pat Shortt and Ardal O’Hanlon, who play fathers to the protagonists Iseult Casey and Shane Corcoran respectively, the film tells the story about a young couple’s unplanned pregnancy and their journey from Tipperary to England to attain an abortion. It's expected to premiere at the 2016 Dublin Film Festival so the promotional run up to its release is truly underway.
Director Tom Ryan explained that “Twice Shy will explore how leaving home to have an abortion overseas can affect a relationship,” in an interview with the journal.ie, and said that while the film doesn’t take an aggressive stance on the criminalisation of abortion, it hopes to subtly bring the subject matter to the fore in a non-invasive, compassionate and relatable manner.
General release for the film is expected to be spring 2016 - which, of course, coincides with the upcoming general election. What impact may the film have on the election? Some voters have indicated that each party’s stance on the issue of the 8th Amendment may hold sway over their preferences, so this film might just be the catalyst to change.
Destined to create headlines and stir controversy, Twice Shy will add significant momentum to the ‘Repeal the 8th’ campaign. Long-time supporter of the pro-choice movement, Labour TD Aodhán Ó Riordáin, has promised to make the ‘Repeal the 8th’ a priority within government issues, making clear his opinion on the absurdity of such a law existing in modern day Ireland.
Perhaps this is why the fashion in which Twice Shy approaches the issue is of note. Despite the conjecture and controversy that shrouds the abortion debate, the movie - with its straightforward narrative, identifiable characters and scenarios - should serve to defuse any sense of scandal that surround terminations.
The film is expected to premiere at the Dublin Film Festival, which runs February 18-28.