Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Pregnancy and Birth › Birth and Beyond › Unassisted Childbirth › Outlaw Births UC documentary...we have a date!
New Posts  All Forums:
 

Outlaw Births UC documentary...we have a date! - Page 3

post #41 of 77
6/23/08 at 4:10pm
Thread Starter 
I don't know anything about the 20/20; you'd have to ask Laura Shanley.

Outlaw Births is not a movie; it's a documentary made-for-TV that will air on Wednesday, July 9 at 9 PM in England and the rest of United Kingdom on their ITV/Granada Channel 5.

You may also like:

5 Simple Tips for Staying Healthy
There Is Not Always a "Fix" For the Difficult Child
10 Things You Don't Need For a New Baby
post #42 of 77
6/23/08 at 4:26pm
I would really like to get a copy of the DVD, if the end up selling them.
post #43 of 77
6/23/08 at 4:39pm
Still no word on when the "20/20" childbirth program will air. I'll be sure to post info as soon as I know.

The producers of "Outlaw Births" have told me that the documentary will be sold to TV stations around the world but at this point we don't know who will pick it up. I've seen a few references to it in cyberspace -

http://www.c21media.net/news/detail....&article=42527

"Outlaw Births, explores the underground movement of ‘freebirthing’, the controversial method of childbirth where the mother refuses any medical intervention choosing to give birth at home, alone, with no medical care, no midwife and no pain relief."

Hmmm. Not the best description of UC, but hopefully it will be good! They haven't told me if copies of the program will be available for sale.
Laura
post #44 of 77
6/23/08 at 5:59pm
I'm one of the "C" people listed. I got an email from them today about the airing date (though our footage isn't being included...at least not as a main story) with a note that while that's the plan it may change. I hope I can get a copy!
post #45 of 77
6/23/08 at 6:12pm
Hey "C"! Good to see you here! Write back to the person who contacted you about the program (Claire?) and ask her for a copy. They should certainly send you one. If not let me know.
Laura
post #46 of 77
6/23/08 at 6:46pm
well that's cool. I assumed that 'documentary' would mean at the theatre like BOBB. but that's really neat. I hope that lots of stations pick it up Laura! You'll let us know when/if it comes to US, I'm sure! good luck!
post #47 of 77
6/23/08 at 8:57pm
Thread Starter 
That's an awful description. Most women don't UC alone, and they do seek medical intervention when it's needed. So far I don't like how this is being promoted.
post #48 of 77
6/24/08 at 12:36pm
yeah, i agree with you. i don't like how it's being promoted, and i don't like the title either. UC isn't illegal; women who choose to UC aren't doing it to be rebels or outlaws in any way; and of course, we don't categorically reject help, intervention, or medical care when needed.

but, i'm not on the committee, so i don't get a voice. frustrating though. in my mind, this promotional tactic sets us back a LONG way. most people won't see the film, just hear the promo, and come up with a lot more reasons to have a problem with UC than to embrace it.
post #49 of 77
6/24/08 at 3:30pm
The title isn't actually set in stone (according to a letter they sent today). They still might change it.

As far as the description, I agree. But these are the sorts of things we're going to have to deal with as UC starts getting recognized by the main stream. Most people simply don't understand it, and unfortunately people fear what they don't understand. To those who fear the body (especially women's bodies), doctors are gods - or at least high priests and priestesses of the Church of Modern Medicine (thank you Robert Mendelsohn). They are saving us from our flawed selves and they are not to be questioned. In this "system of thought" UCer's are the ultimate heretics.

And so I think we need to be prepared for more inaccurate descriptions of UC and of course outright contempt for our choices. I tell myself on a daily basis that I forgive these people (even the AMA). It's the only way I can get any piece of mind. I'm not saying we shouldn't stand up for our rights, but I try not to rage against the system. Just as we have faith that we can birth our babies safely without medical professionals, we have to have faith that our right to do this will not be taken away. I don't think we have any obligation to educate the world as to the rightness of UC. But if opportunities like the UK documentary continue to come along, I'm going to continue to share my thoughts on the subject and hope for the best. Generally at least a little bit of truth comes through.
Laura
post #50 of 77
6/24/08 at 3:42pm
i personally don't feel like i'm raging against anything at all.

i think that, from a marketing perspective, the filmmakers would do well to be very clear about what their are marketing from the title through the description and everywhere in between. this is a pro-UC film; it should, at every level, demonstrate that this is so. titles and what not should nto be chosen because of an idea of being "more provocative" but should clearly demonstrate what it is this film is about--which is a life and choice affirming process.

and, i think this will draw more people into watching the film than the more "provocative" elements.

as for general people misunderstanding--a lot of this is about acceptance. i know a lot of people have completely different perspectives and fixate on things.

i remember recommending that my MIL and FIL see American Beauty. my husband and i saw it and really loved the themes of the film. we were deeply moved by it. when my MIL reported on the film back to us, she said that she just couldn't stand it because it was about molestation of children. How she got that idea, i do not know. i mean, i can see where she got it--she fixated on one thing--and that was it for her. that's what the movie was about.

a lot of people are like this about a lot of things. UC is certainly no exception. i have no need to educate the populace, to rage against folks, or whatever. in the end, i simply do what i do and share when i feel it is appropriate and right for me to share.

and that's that really.
post #51 of 77
6/24/08 at 3:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoebird View Post
i think that, from a marketing perspective, the filmmakers would do well to be very clear about what their are marketing from the title through the description and everywhere in between. this is a pro-UC film; it should, at every level, demonstrate that this is so.
You're absolutely right. I don't know if the production company wrote the description or the TV station that commissioned it. But whoever wrote it didn't have a very good understanding of UC (either that or they thought this might make for better ratings).

As far as it being a pro-UC film, I'm not entirely sure that it will be. Another British production company made a UC documentary that was very disappointing. I'm hoping this one will be better. We'll see. But I'm sure they will include interviews with doctors who oppose it.
Laura
post #52 of 77
6/24/08 at 4:32pm
ah, well, that's the flip side of the coin. i thought someone had already seen a rough cut and that it was pro-UC! sorry for any confusion with that.

i think it takes a lot of courage to go onto these films, tv, magazine things. i mean, they nearly invariably turn out with someone against that is just a simple non-argument against that plays on fears and emotions and cultural mores. really, it would be nice to see a person actually defending why the medical routes are better, rather than pithy "because it's best" arguments. LOL

it's part of the reason why i haven't responded to any publicity. i am rather private to begin with, but on the flip side, i don't want to end up with the criticism that poster children end up with.

that takes a lot of courage that i'm not sure i could handle. perhaps, at least, not now. maybe after the baby comes. . .
post #53 of 77
6/25/08 at 2:39pm
I put up a page with a jpg the Brits sent me today. Both the date and the name could change. It looks like Heather is going to be prominently featured!

http://outlawbirths.com/

Laura
post #54 of 77
6/26/08 at 7:34pm
It is frustrating, but at least its a start! To get from here to there, we may have to go through some labeling we don't like. I see it as progress (I hope).


Quote: moonfirefaery
That's an awful description. Most women don't UC alone, and they do seek medical intervention when it's needed. So far I don't like how this is being promoted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zoebird View Post
yeah, i agree with you. i don't like how it's being promoted, and i don't like the title either. UC isn't illegal; women who choose to UC aren't doing it to be rebels or outlaws in any way; and of course, we don't categorically reject help, intervention, or medical care when needed.

but, i'm not on the committee, so i don't get a voice. frustrating though. in my mind, this promotional tactic sets us back a LONG way. most people won't see the film, just hear the promo, and come up with a lot more reasons to have a problem with UC than to embrace it.
post #55 of 77
6/27/08 at 4:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by laurashanley View Post
You're absolutely right. I don't know if the production company wrote the description or the TV station that commissioned it. But whoever wrote it didn't have a very good understanding of UC (either that or they thought this might make for better ratings).

As far as it being a pro-UC film, I'm not entirely sure that it will be. Another British production company made a UC documentary that was very disappointing. I'm hoping this one will be better. We'll see. But I'm sure they will include interviews with doctors who oppose it.
Laura
I am crossing my fingers and hoping and praying that this film is everything you hope for it- I'm conscious of the fact that Extraordinary Breastfeeding, which I think was from the same team but was shown on channel 4, went down better there (Americans on MDC) than here in the UK. I am getting concerned that this may be used as part of a backlash against homebirth, though, and may actually serve as fuel against our fully-funded, legally protected right to homebirth with midwives.
post #56 of 77
6/27/08 at 1:11pm
I'm not insulted by the label "outlaw births"... it makes me think of the wild west, pioneers, and doing something new and exciting.
post #57 of 77
6/27/08 at 1:29pm
That is the first thing I thought of when I read the title too, majazama!
post #58 of 77
6/27/08 at 7:52pm
I actually kind of like the title, too. It appeals to my rebellious nature!

I don't know if this is the same company that made "Extraordinary Breastfeeding." That was shown on Channel 4 and this will be on Channel 5. But it could have been a Granada Factual production, as well. Speaking of "Extraordinary Breastfeeding," I just posted something about this in the breastfeeding section - http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=922585

Veronika Robinson, UC advocate and star of "EB" will be appearing on the Tyra Banks show next week. We're getting out there!
Laura
post #59 of 77
6/28/08 at 11:19am
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I'm the main American story.



Quote:
Originally Posted by zoebird
i don't want to end up with the criticism that poster children end up with.
I worry about that, though Laura assures me I have little to fear. I did a lot that could be criticized.
post #60 of 77
6/30/08 at 12:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by laurashanley View Post
I actually kind of like the title, too. It appeals to my rebellious nature!
Me too.

If/when this crosses the pond, I hope someone will post and let us know! I'd love to see it!

And let us know about the 20/20 episode if you can please Laura!
New Posts  All Forums:
 
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Unassisted Childbirth

You may also like:

5 Simple Tips for Staying Healthy
There Is Not Always a "Fix" For the Difficult Child
10 Things You Don't Need For a New Baby
Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Pregnancy and Birth › Birth and Beyond › Unassisted Childbirth › Outlaw Births UC documentary...we have a date!