In my book, Feminism and the Mastery of Childbirth, I show birth is almost always represented as a life-threatening emergency in popular culture. Pregnant women are at the same time portrayed as helpless non-agents in need of rescuing; props for someone else's agency. Canadian artist, Amanda Greavette's powerful and inspiring
These Are My Hours is a full-length documentary featuring a birth much like Amanda’s pieces of art. It includes no commentary from anyone but the birthing woman and the camera never leaves her side. The mother is not disturbed. The baby is not taken from her. It gives viewers a new perspective on birth. The creators ( 2 midwives) have taught classes to college students on the contrast of this film and birth in popular media via a guest lecture entitled “Birth and the Media”
These Are My Hours is a full-length documentary featuring a birth much like Amanda’s pieces of art. It includes no commentary from anyone but the birthing woman and the camera never leaves her side. The mother is not disturbed. The baby is not taken from her. It gives viewers a new perspective on birth. The creators ( 2 midwives) have taught classes to college students on the contrast of this film and birth in popular media via a guest lecture entitled “Birth and the Media”
www.thesearemyhours.com