Belly of the Beast Panel Discussion with Kelli Dillon
H.I.R.E. and Radiant Futures hosted a public screening of Belly of the Beast on February 1, 2023 at the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana.
When a courageous young woman (Kelli Dillon) and a radical lawyer discover a pattern of illegal sterilizations in California’s women’s prisons, they wage a near-impossible battle against the Department of Corrections. With a growing team of investigators inside prison working with colleagues on the outside, they uncover a series of statewide crimes - from inadequate health care to sexual assault to coercive sterilizations - primarily targeting women of color. This shocking legal drama captured over 7-years features extraordinary access and intimate accounts from currently and formerly incarcerated people, demanding attention to a shameful and ongoing legacy of eugenics and reproductive injustice in the United States.
Kelli Dillon, was a guest speaker after the screening to answer questions and talk about her experiences. You can view the discussion here. Facilitated by Dr. Nefta Pereda of Radiant Futures.