After filmmaker Katja Esson’s sister gave birth in Germany, she was able to breastfeed her baby anywhere and at any time. Returning home to New York, Esson found that breastfeeding was rarely practiced and largely unseen. Academy Award® Nominee Esson (Ferry Tales) turned her quirky eye on the subject and set out to learn why this was so. Her wide-ranging, frequently funny documentary highlights the intersecting economic, social, and cultural forces that have helped replace mother’s milk with formula produced by a billion dollar industry, and reveals the challenges and rewards for women who buck the trend.
Latching On draws on lively first-hand accounts from mothers of diverse ethnicities and economic backgrounds, as well as candid observations by pediatricians, healthcare providers, lactation specialists, and the proprietor of New York’s first breastfeeding boutique. Including data about paid maternity leave, hospital post-delivery policies, and workplace accommodations for nursing mothers, the film compares current US practices with standards adopted elsewhere. Tensions around public breastfeeding and “breast is best” promotion campaigns highlight society’s perceived interest in regulating women’s reproductive behavior, as well as the power of culture to assign sexual and moral meaning to mothers’ bodies. Entertaining and insightful, Latching On is an important analysis of the politics of breastfeeding, illuminating the complexities behind a simple, natural act.
Friday, September 27th
Amphitheatre, Saint Paul University (223 Main Street)
6:00 pm – Breast is Best a prize-winning film from Norway, about mother-baby-friendly practices including breastfeeding. 7:00 pm – Special Presentation by Fleur Bickford, IBCLC: The empowerment of women during birth and breastfeeding. 8:00 pm – Latching On: The Politics of Breastfeeding in America. 8:35 pm – Community Panel including Ottawa blogger, Annie from PhD in Parenting.
Powerful spoken word featured in the film “A Mother Is Born”. Performed by Mary Pinkoski and Titi Sonuga.Birthing Babies Together Presents the Documentary ‘A Mother is Born’
A Mother is Born will be shown as part of the Choice! A Birth and Baby Film Festival on May 24, 2013 at 19:00 at St. Paul’s university. There is an Optimal Fetal Positioning presentation by Dr. Nancy Salgueiro before the film, at 18:00, and a discussion panel afterwards. Learn more »
A Mother is Born will be shown as part of the Choice! A Birth and Baby Film Festival on May 24, 2013 at 19:00 at St. Paul’s university. There is an Optimal Fetal Positioning presentation by Dr. Nancy Salgueiro before the film, at 18:00, and a discussion panel afterwards.
A Mother is Born is a documentary created by Birthing Babies Together.
“We are a group of three medical students from the University of Alberta (U of A) who have come together to create an educational documentary about woman-centered care that focuses on the various birthing options available for low-risk obstetrics. Our mission is to bridge the gap between doulas, midwives, nurses and physicians with a focus on interprofessional education. We want to discover where common ground exists. ”
“Our goal was to create a film that was respectful, balanced and evidence based. Instead of furthering the divide, we wanted to promote collaboration. One of the biggest goals of our film is intended to foster respect for the contributions of all disciplines. ”
Five Countries, Six Births, Seven Babies depicts six beautiful and gentle births in five countries; France, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Bermuda and the USA. The film shows that while cultures, laws and languages may change, birth remains fundamentally the same – biological and sacred. The films speak for themselves through music and images. The director, Diana Paul, filmed the segments between 1994 to 2010. Each birth drives home a message to birthing women. Five Countries, Six Births, Seven Babies is a wonderful introduction to natural childbirth.
Five Countries, Six Births, Seven Babies depicts six beautiful and gentle births in five countries; France, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Bermuda and the USA. The film shows that while cultures, laws and languages may change, birth remains fundamentally the same – biological and sacred. The films speak for themselves through music and images. The director, Diana Paul, filmed the segments between 1994 to 2010. Each birth drives home a message to birthing women. Five Countries, Six Births, Seven Babies is a wonderful introduction to natural childbirth. Five Countries, Six Births, Seven Babies will be shown as part of the Choice! A Birth and Baby Film Festival on April 26, 2013 at 19:00 at St. Paul’s university. Learn more »
A movie about respecting and protecting a woman’s right to choose how, where and with whom she gives birth. Through the diverse and moving stories of five women who choose to have homebirths The Face of Birth gives us the big-picture on the importance of how, where and with whom we give birth to our children.
Featuring interviews with some of the world’s top childbirth experts The Face of Birth explores the links between choice and safety. It exposes the hidden costs, and broader social consequences of rising rates of intervention.
A must-see for all parents, and anyone intending to give birth, this feature-length movie about pregnancy, childbirth and the power of choice will change the way you view childbirth. The Face of Birth will be shown as part of the Choice! A Birth and Baby Film Festival on March 22, 2013 at 19:00 at St. Paul’s university. Learn more »
The Face of Birth will be shown as part of the Choice! A Birth and Baby Film Festival on March 22, 2013 at 19:00 at St. Paul’s university. There is a Restorative Exercise presentation before the film, at 18:00, and a discussion panel afterwards.
Through the diverse and moving stories of five women who choose to have homebirths The Face of Birth gives us the big-picture on the importance of how, where and with whom we give birth to our children. Featuring interviews with some of the world’s top childbirth experts The Face of Birth explores the links between choice and safety. It exposes the hidden costs, and broader social consequences of rising rates of intervention.
A must-see for all parents, and anyone intending to give birth, this feature-length movie about pregnancy, childbirth and the power of choice will change the way you view childbirth.
“Face of Birth” highlights the monumental importance of birthing and tells the stories of women who choose to birth at home, in hospital VBAC and in birthing centres. It presents vital information from the midwives, doctors and health professionals who support mothers and a medical system that works against them. The Face of Birth will be shown as part of the Choice! A Birth and Baby Film Festival on March 22, 2013 at 19:00 at St. Paul’s university. Learn more »
