Belly of the Beast | |
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Directed by | Erika Cohn |
Music by | Omar Fadel |
Release date |
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Running time | 82 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Belly of the Beast is a 2020 documentary film by Erika Cohn about the illegal sterilization practices in the Central California Women’s Facility and other female penitentiaries. Made over a period of seven years, the 82-minute movie documents the fight of one inmate (Kelli Dillon) and her lawyer against the Department of Corrections.[2][3]
Their investigations inside prison, with assistance from outside allies, uncover statewide criminal practices ranging from poor healthcare, sexual abuse and assault, coercive sterilizations, and the targeting of women of color.[4]
The film was supported by the Tribeca Film Institute through the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund (2015), the TFI Network (2017), and the TFI Pond5 Program (Spring 2019).[5] 20% of proceeds from the film went to support the Women and Justice Project.[6]