October Baby (2011)

A college freshman's world is rocked when she learns she is the adopted survivor of a failed abortion.

Directors:

Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin

Writers:

Jon Erwin, Theresa Preston

Stars:

Rachel Hendrix, Jason Burkey, John Schneider

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rachel Hendrix	...	Hannah
Jason Burkey	...	Jason
John Schneider	...	Jacob
Jennifer Price	...	Grace
Colleen Trusler	...	Alanna
James Austin Johnson	...	Truman (as Austin Johnson)
Amisho Lewis	...	Drama Coach
Mary Tolley	...	Julia Armen (as Mary Wheeler)
Corey Winston	...	Hospital Attendant (as Cory Winston)
Lance E. Nichols	...	Dr. Stewart (as Lance Nichols)
Rhett Hendrix	...	Library Guy
Chris Sligh	...	Bmac
Joy Brunson	...	Danielle
Diego Montiel	...	Diego
Robert Amaya	...	Beach Cop

Storyline

As the curtain rises, Hannah hesitantly steps onto the stage for her theatrical debut in college. Yet before she can utter her first lines, Hannah-unscripted-collapses in front of the stunned audience. After countless medical tests, all signs point to one underlying factor: Hannah's difficult birth. This revelation is nothing compared to what she then learns from her parents: she was actually adopted ... after a failed abortion attempt. Bewildered, angered, and confused, Hannah turns for support to Jason, her long-time friend. Encouraged by his adventurous spirit, Hannah joins his group of friends on a Spring Break road trip, embarking on a journey to discover her hidden past ... and find hope for her unknown future. In the midst of her incredible journey, Hannah learns that every life is beautiful.

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Plot Keywords:

abortion | pro life | adoption | forgiveness | christian | 

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Taglines:

Every Life Is Beautiful

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 2013 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Bebê de Outubro

Filming Locations:

Helena, Alabama, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$102,096, 30 October 2011, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$5,355,847, 10 June 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gravitas,Provident Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (HD)

Did You Know?

Trivia

As a frame for understanding how often abortions result in live births, Willard Cates, then head of the Abortion Surveillance Branch of the Centers for Disease Control, told the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1981 that 400 to 500 live births during abortion attempts were reported to the CDC annually, and that he believed that there were many more, since reporting a live birth to the authorities was "like turning yourself in to the IRS for an audit." In comparison, roughly 300 people in the US are struck by lightning annually.

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Goofs

When Jason is packing his clothes in the hotel before leaving New Orleans, he is speaking to Alanna, and the same shot is shown twice of him picking up a pile of clothes that includes a red, gray and white striped shirt. He picks the pile up, puts it in his bag, another angle is shown and then he is shown picking up the exact same pile from the same spot and putting it in his bag again.

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Quotes

Hannah: I feel dead inside.
Hannah: No something worse than death.
Hannah: I am still a child, a child trying to find a place on this world.
Hannah: I have so many unanswered questions, questions I feel but can't even begin to speak because there are no words to express them.
Hannah: Something is missing.
Hannah: Why do I feel unwanted?
Hannah: Why do I feel I have no right to exist?
Hannah: Why do I spend more time wanting to end my life than live it?

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Crazy Credits

Over the closing credits, actress Shari Rigby (who played birth mother Cindy Hastings) shared the trauma she felt after aborting her child, not unlike the way her character behaved, and how she finally felt God's forgiveness while playing this role.

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Connections

Referenced in Midnight Screenings: Moms' Night Out (2014)

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Soundtracks

Willow Tree
Written by Chris Sligh
Performed by Chris Sligh

User Reviews

We care!

There are so many people in deep emotional pain. This movie heals and gives us hope with humor and gentleness. I recommend it to everyone. Even though we aren't all going through the same thing as the main characters in the movie, the under lying messages apply to us all and are very helpful.

The trailer caused me to expect a mostly heavy painful story line but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of well done comedy that caused the teens in my house to quote lines in the movie through out the week just for fun.

The photography was some of the best I've ever seen. It had a way of telling the story, almost making the words unnecessary.

The best part of "October Baby" to me is it's ability to touch so many deeply painful subjects without vilifying anyone and still be very believable.