The title of Eliza Hittman’s latest, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” refers to the counseling session a young woman undergoes prior to getting an abortion. A healthcare provider says she’ll ask Autumn (Sidney Flanigan) a series of personal medical questions; she should respond to each with a never, rarely, sometimes, or always.
At the beginning of film’s new trailer, Autumn tells her cousin, Skylar (Talia Ryder), that she’s been to the doctor due to “girl problems.” She’s pregnant, doesn’t want to be, but has limited family planning options in her rural Pennsylvania community. “Don’t you ever just wish you were a dude?” Skylar asks. “All the time,” Autumn replies.
On Skylar’s suggestion, the two teens decide to go to New York City so Autumn can get an abortion. It’s a touch decision, but as Autumn explains, she’s “just not ready to be a mom.”
It’s worth noting that, if some of the draconian abortion bans that have been introduced in the U.S. during the past year go into effect, women like Autumn who cross state lines to terminate a pregnancy could be arrested and prosecuted.
Hittman wrote and directed “Never Rarely Sometimes Always.” She won Sundance 2018’s Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic for her last feature, “Beach Rats,” a drama about a Brooklyn teen navigating drugs and his sexuality. Her other credits include feature “It Felt Like Love” and episodes of “High Maintenance” and “13 Reasons Why.”
“I think there is nothing more taboo in this country than a woman with ambition, and I am going to work my way through a system that is completely discriminatory towards women,” Hittman has said. “And Hollywood, I’m coming for you.”
“Never Rarely Sometimes Always” will premiere next month at Sundance Film Festival and opens in select theaters March 13.
