We were one week away from traveling to Israel/Palestine to work on our next film BIRTH IN THE HOLY LAND. Then covid closed Israel’s borders. It appeared that the borders were not opening any time soon so we began reviewing archival footage.
Two homebirths, filmed more than a decade ago, demanded our attention. Could they be combined into one film?
The families met on zoom and the consensus was, Yes! Let’s make a movie together.
Our stars, Nia (13) and Griffin (17), live on opposite coasts – California and Massachusetts. They have never met. Griffin is shy and Nia, it turns out, is only shy in front of family and friends. She lights up on stage and in front of an audience.
Making a film about natural birth requires a minor miracle.
First of all, in the US, only about 1% of births happen naturally, drug free and at home.
Second, birth anywhere is an intimate occasion so the family has to really want the birth filmed.
Third, it is rare to find parents so selfless, generous and willing to share this intimate experience in order to help others.
And fourth, the filmmaker has to be quiet and unobtrusive – homebirth is not a Hollywood performance, it is an intense labor of love.
We are excited to be making this film, checking in on two great kids who had very special home deliveries. Stay tuned.