My First French Cinema Experience

Last Thursday night I went to the movies with a woman from church. Now, I can't remember the last time I was in an American theatre much less a French one. Anyway, we saw Le Premier Cri. I have a movie review in me to write but don't have the mental faculties for it right now. Couple of things though...

1) This will never make it to the Unites States' theatres. Way too much nudity for the American public. Sad thing is, it struck me as how objectified both French and Americans make a woman's body rather than see it as quite natural and beautiful as this movie poignantly portrays.

2) The website is in French but if you click on "videos" it will be clear enough. Here's the rundown--It's a documentary following the birth process in 10 different cultures. It is an artistic and at times disjointed rendering of the experience between the 10 women; but beautifully done. It does not necessarily follow pregnancy but specifically focuses on the preparation for birth and the occurrence itself.

3) BEST FORM OF BIRTH CONTROL EVER!!! The trailer is quite touching; the movie, well, I never found a reason to cry. It had its sweet moments and was definitely thought-provoking but on levels unrelated directly to birthing babies.

4) If somehow miraculously this does make it to the USA I do suggest you see it, women AND men. I do not recommend this for children under the age of 13 unless accompanied by intentional conversation (see point 5). It can be used educationally for teenagers, young adults, and opens a fantastic door into discussions related to different cultures, traditions, physicality and sexuality, and...

5) Spirituality--I was intrigued at the spiritual experiences, or lack thereof, connected to the birth process in a handful of the women's stories. This movie raises issues beyond simply birth itself but probes (without making a statement) at the how and why of different birth processes. Several of these processes link to spiritual practices and it is quite interesting. The renderings are profound and provide much food for thought, not inappropriate but perhaps a bit inaccessible to little minds.