Set inside a Georgia women’s health clinic navigating the post-Dobbs abortion landscape, the Oscar-nominated documentary short “The Devil Is Busy” follows the daily work of security head Tracy, who protects both the clinic’s operations and the dignity of patients facing protestors. Directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton, the film highlights a predominantly women-of-color staff intentionally creating a respectful environment for patients who increasingly travel long distances for care.
The clinic’s existence and daily challenges are a direct result of the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned nearly 50 years of precedent by ruling the Constitution does not guarantee abortion rights. That ruling enabled state-level bans; abortion is now prohibited at all stages of pregnancy in 14 Republican-controlled states, with limited exceptions. Georgia is among those states, having enacted a law banning abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.
Gandbhir emphasizes that the film’s female-led production team mirrors the clinic’s ethos of compassion. Co-director Hampton, one of two African American filmmakers nominated for an Oscar this year, states the project aims to foster advocacy and education. She underscores that beyond policy debates, the story centers on human rights and the profound personal decisions women make daily.
“The Devil Is Busy” provides a ground-level view of how constitutional shifts reshape medical access and the personnel who manage its real-world application. By focusing on clinic security and patient experience, the documentary illustrates the operational and emotional realities of abortion care in a restricted legal environment. Its nomination brings international attention to these localized struggles, framing them as ongoing issues of bodily autonomy and healthcare equity. The film’s significance lies in its humanization of a polarized issue, documenting a moment in the evolving landscape of reproductive rights in America.
