I really appreciate this review and the points you chose to address. Despite curiosity about how the story is handled and despite reading everything I can about the plot and background of the film, I've chosen so far not to view the film in its entirety (it felt too heavy for this particular season of life). But such stories do need to be told, because they do reflect the real experience of real families. And they need to be told truthfully. In a way, Pieces of a Woman feels like it is one woman's answer in story form to the question of "and then what?" when examining the deep fears around newborn loss that every birth has the potential to raise.
Your exploration brought to mind the miniseries Broadchurch. In one of the the episodes, a relatively normal home birth is indirectly portrayed. Unlike the sensationalizing of birth in most media, the Broadchurch birth creates some background tension in the story (the labor lasts far longer than anticipated), but the whole arc of the story is handled without drama and felt very true to life.
YES, I agree! It doesn't shy away from what is a very real part of life: death. (And yes, every mother's worst nightmare.) In that way, it's very powerful and very aligned with what all the birth advocates (especially the freebirthers) say!
Cool, thanks for sharing that about the series! I'm always looking for thoughtful/well-done films and shows. Would you recommend, in general?
If you appreciate well-done crime drama, I would recommend it! The subject material isn't comfortable though; I don't consider it a feel-good show by any means.
Interesting. I had decided not to watch it, but after reading this I realise I was simply triggered by the bio of the film, and should probably give it a watch
I really appreciate this review and the points you chose to address. Despite curiosity about how the story is handled and despite reading everything I can about the plot and background of the film, I've chosen so far not to view the film in its entirety (it felt too heavy for this particular season of life). But such stories do need to be told, because they do reflect the real experience of real families. And they need to be told truthfully. In a way, Pieces of a Woman feels like it is one woman's answer in story form to the question of "and then what?" when examining the deep fears around newborn loss that every birth has the potential to raise.
Your exploration brought to mind the miniseries Broadchurch. In one of the the episodes, a relatively normal home birth is indirectly portrayed. Unlike the sensationalizing of birth in most media, the Broadchurch birth creates some background tension in the story (the labor lasts far longer than anticipated), but the whole arc of the story is handled without drama and felt very true to life.
YES, I agree! It doesn't shy away from what is a very real part of life: death. (And yes, every mother's worst nightmare.) In that way, it's very powerful and very aligned with what all the birth advocates (especially the freebirthers) say!
Cool, thanks for sharing that about the series! I'm always looking for thoughtful/well-done films and shows. Would you recommend, in general?
If you appreciate well-done crime drama, I would recommend it! The subject material isn't comfortable though; I don't consider it a feel-good show by any means.
Interesting. I had decided not to watch it, but after reading this I realise I was simply triggered by the bio of the film, and should probably give it a watch
You know you best! Just sharing my perspective. I want to watch it again now that I’ve had a homebirth! (I wrote this while pregnant)