Ilana Glazer says 'Texas is genuinely dangerous' for women at SXSW premiere of 'Babes'

The women of "Babes" discussed Texas' harsh abortion laws during their South by Southwest movie premiere Saturday night.

"Babes" follows two women at different stages in their lives — one with a husband and kids and another who is pregnant from a one-night stand — as they tackle motherhood. We asked stars Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau and director Pamela Adlon what is was like to bring a movie about the choices related to pregnancy and motherhood to a state where choice has been all but eliminated after Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022.

"The policies here in Texas are literally terrifying. To be a femme or female-bodied person in Texas is genuinely dangerous," Glazer said. "I am so proud to show a story here with 'Babes' that shows new kinds of families, different kinds of families, and women making choices about their bodies and the families that they want to create or not create."

The "Babes" team was in prep for the movie when Roe v. Wade was overturned, Adlon said.

"I think putting important topics and finding comedy in the pain and the frustration is what comedians do. We run into the burning building, we don't shy away from it," Buteau said. "I think it definitely not only starts with arts and culture, it stays with arts and culture. So I say to anybody that's a creative, just talk about the things you're going through because it's very important."

Adlon ended on a hopeful note.

"I feel like things will turn around and things will shift. We just need to stay calm and have a conversation," she said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 'Babes' red carpet tackles Texas abortion laws during SXSW