By Dr. Diane Howard
The sacred value of each human life is being contested more and more today. A powerful new film,The Order of Rights, respectfully and carefully examines the arguments for and against the right to life of the unborn. Premiering Oct. 2, 2020 on streaming platforms (Amazon, Google, and VUDU), this unique movie addresses the debate over the sanctity of life and the question of whether or not a child in the womb is a person. The Order of Rights focuses on Emma Stein (Emma Elle Roberts), a pregnant single girl who has been advised by her mother to have an abortion despite the objection of the child’s young Christian father, Ethan Carpenter (Ben Davies). Even as Ethan tries to help her, Emma decides to go ahead with terminating the pregnancy. Ethan and his family file a lawsuit on behalf of the child’s right to life, and their story moves to prominence as a nationally publicized court case. The court must decide whether the child in Emma’s womb is a person or not and if so if it is endowed with the unalienable rights as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence.
I recently caught up with actor and producer Julie Silcott. Here is my exclusive interview.
DH: As an actor in this movie, what character do you play?
JS: I play the Joan Carpenter, the mother of the young father.
DH: What is your character’s significance in the story?
JS: Joan Carpenter brings relatability to audiences, especially to those who have personally dealt with these issues. She brings honesty and authenticity to the movies. She brings understanding of both sides of the issues. She has an honest back story. Her character helps to bring healing to all sides in the story.
DH: How is this movie unique in its approach to the value of each human life?
JS: It is unique in presenting the position of the father. It is also unique in presenting the relationship of the issues in this movie with the fundamental, self-evident positions and ideas of our American Founding Fathers.
DH: What new angles or perspectives does this movie bring to the issues of the value of human life?
JS: We all have equal rights endowed by our Creator. We are all created equal and all have the right to life.
DH: Why is this movie significant today?
JS: Protecting all human life is the Number One Issue today! America was built on important ideas, which include freedom from oppression and the protection of all lives.
DH: Why is this movie important to you?
JS: We began this project on Martin Luther King Day, and I have been especially concerned about how Black Babies have been targeted for abortions.
DH: What issues does this movie address which are often not considered concerning the value of human life, especially of the unborn?
JS: It presents the man’s side of these issues and how they are related to the American Declaration of Independence and to the Order of Importance of these rights.
Jim Ball, the movie’s director says, “The title, The Order of Rights, refers to the order in which the categories of rights are deliberately listed in the Declaration of Independence: ‘Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,’ such ideals often recognized as America’s mission statement upon which
our governing framework, the Constitution, is based.” In most abortion cases, a mother’s ‘right to pursue happiness’ overshadows a baby’s ‘right to life.’ The film’s fair-minded approach gives audiences a nuanced look at both views of the unborn in a courtroom setting.
“It is our hope to raise the voices of millions through this film who are speaking out and especially for those who cannot speak for themselves, the unborn,” Ball says, “It is also our hope that this film touches those who have experienced abortions so that they know that they can receive forgiveness and begin to heal.”
The Order of Rights is an insightful, heart-grabbing film with questions and angles that bring fresh perspectives to the debate over the value of human life.