At Long Last, the Big Premiere of '12th & Delaware'

Weirdly, our film was screened at The Temple, a Jewish synagogue on loan to the festival. No parking allowed because the rabbi was holding some event. On a Sunday? Hmm . . . suspicious. These Utah Jews do it differently. At least we had a full house and the buzz on the film is good.

"12th & Delaware" is the portrait of a corner in Fort Pierce Fla., where an abortion clinic and a pro-life crisis pregnancy center sit across the street from each other. Protesters keep vigil outside the abortion clinic and aggressively try to persuade women not to enter. Scenes unfold both in the pro-life center as well as inside the clinic. The film is an intimate and often uncomfortable look at women on the brink of a major decision -- whether to have an abortion or continue with the pregnancy -- and the outside parties who try to influence that decision. The film is sure to rankle those who have a very strong position on abortion, an issue that once again raised its head last week, this time regarding an upcoming pro-life Super Bowl ad.

At times the audience squirmed uncomfortably. Then there would be a giant burst of anger. Some laughter. It was a dynamic experience. The question-and-answer session after the film was quite lively, with people from various political and cultural persuasions weighing in on the film. A Swedish audience member seemed confused by all the hubbub surrounding the issue and informed the crowd that abortion "is not an issue in my country at all," to which the audience gave him a collective snort and eye-roll. Welcome to America, my Swedish friend, where abortion remains the most intractable conflict on the block.

We're now on the way to the HBO party to celebrate our Sundance debut with our crew and family. Drinks desperately needed, as we have four more screenings to go.