HBO Max’s Unpregnant premiered this past Wednesday, September 9th at both an L.A. Drive-in and virtual screening. Written and directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Unpregnant succeeds in its admirable attempt to humanize the very sensitive topic of abortion.
GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 09: (L-R) Barbie Ferreira and Haley Lu Richardson attend the HBO Max Drive-In Premiere of Unpregnant on September 9, 2020 in Glendale, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for HBO Max)
Perfect student Veronica, played by Haley Lu Richardson, unexpectedly finds herself pregnant with nowhere to turn. As a girl from a Christian home in Missouri, Veronica is faced with a situation she never thought was possible. With a bright future ahead and a required parental signature, Veronica can’t bring herself to tell her mom that she wants to terminate the pregnancy, so she turns to the only person she can trust, her ex-best friend Bailey. The two travel to New Mexico, where abortion is legal at 17 years-old. However, their plan goes awry when Bailey’s car breaks down, forcing them into a series of events that inevitably bond the pair and rekindle the friendship.
A film about estranged best friends finding each other in their most vulnerable and helpless phases of life, come together to support and remind audiences that no matter what you go through, you’re never alone.
The film premiered on a rooftop drive-in in Glendale, California hosted by HBO Max and WarnerMax. It was the first-ever drive-in premiere which only added to the film’s road-trip setting. DJ Yoda attended the screening to entertain virtual guests by crafting a creative mix of music and video aesthetics. Following the screening, Fefe Dobson and Amy Allen performed original songs from the feature film.
GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 09: A view of the drive-in is seen at the HBO Max Drive-In Premiere of Unpregnant on September 9, 2020 in Glendale, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for HBO Max)
Noteable attendees included: Hayley Lu Richardson (Veronica), Barbie Ferreira (Bailey), Alex MacNicoll (Kevin), Breckin Meyer (Mark), Giancarlo Esposito (Bob), Sugar Lyn Beard (Kate), Betty Who (Kira), Denny Love (Jarrod), Kara Royster (Kaylee), Jenni Hendricks, Ted Caplan, Bill Parker, Michael McGrath, Lucy Kitada, Jessica Switch, Gred Berlanti, Sarah Schecter, Erik Feig, and Rachel Lee Goldenberg.
Drive-in guests included: Gideon Adlon, Hale Appleman, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Darren & Mia Criss, Vale Genta, Jeante Godlock, Hayley Law, Kathryn Newton-Love, Vella Lovell, Danielle Macdonald, Molly McCook, AJ Michalka, Katy M. O’Brian, Freddie Ransome, Francesca Reale, Twin Shadow, Frankie Shaw, Josh Thomas, and many more.
GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 09: Guests attend the HBO Max Drive-In Premiere of Unpregnant on September 9, 2020 in Glendale, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for HBO Max)
Unpregnant is a very necessary and educating film that personalizes the terrifying situation of a life-changing event that many scared teenagers often face, and many one-sided politicians continuously write off.
Unpregnant premiered Thursday, September 10th on HBO Max. And, on behalf of the events, HBO Max made a donation to Planned Parenthood and Rock the Vote.
