What audiences have said about “Singing the Bones”
New Zealand
Friday 7th November 2003, Wellington
“Very special portrayal of the stories beneath…. Music – photography – must hear – must see – touches own story like a feather.”
Irene
“I always value the reminder that our 'herstory' and experiences impact constantly on us as midwives, mothers, people. I love the reminder that women/mothers KNOW. As a New Zealand midwife these images are shocking, but not familiar to my practice. For that I am thankful!”
Bridget Kerkin
midwife in NZ
“Empathy with the theme. The story told is a familiar feeling you get as a midwife. Great photography, love Vancouver Island.”
Lynley, midwife in NZ
“Felt it was a bit slow to start, but well acted and covered the 3 stories/views well. A well thought out film. Listening/Hearing women's stories and the role they play.”
Sharon
“Loved it – very intense and thought provoking.”
Grada Dixon, Midwife, NZ
“An unusual film. Initially I didn't know quite where it was going but by the end, it was a powerful example of how our “secrets” impact on our decision-making and our values/belief system. Thank you.”
Carolyn Tranter, doula in NZ
“Interesting!!! With one actress playing 3 parts it surprisingly in no way was confusing! Very heart wrenching.”
Donna Smith
“Really enjoyed the film. Parts made me remember why I chose to be a midwife and the values that I sometimes \‘leave at the door'. Definitely gave me things to take back to my practice.”
Pauline Dawson, midwife, NZ
“Fascinating exploration of women coming to terms with their pasts and going on to believe in the power of life and motherhood.”
Vicki Lawn, childbirth educator in NZ
“Confused for a bit at beginning while parts of the story became cohesive. Don't mind that mystery, love it in fact. Like to piece it together. Story less important to me than sensation of the experience and this film was 5 stars for that. Real, truthful, deep. Caitlin is an amazing actor. Recognition of what's important in birth and life. Fully my kind of movie. Thank you.”
Diane Reefman
“Well done, thoughtful – it made me feel sad at first but hopeful by the end.”
Ann, midwife in NZ
“Primarily – another example of the disgusting arrogance of Western Medicine. Secondly – the triumph of the individual in the face of the mainstream thought. If only society could accept the benefits of alternate ways of nourishing the health of humanity. Thank you for giving me the benefit of experiencing this \‘movie'.”
Todd Myler-Stewart
“Enjoyed the film – wondered in the beginning how it was all going to come together, then became clear. Thought it was amazing 1 person playing all the parts.”
Anon
“Showed obstetric/midwife interface well – enjoyed it – sad/happy. It reinforced my belief in birth/women.”
Midwife in NZ
“It made me feel my soul – the passage between life and death was very close. I really enjoyed the sound effects – it was very real. Thanks – it was great. I did feel sleepy at times and had to refocus my concentration.”
Midwife in NZ
“Very thought provoking. Illustrated for me again that birth is a process, a journey, and that that process is more important than the outcome.”
Midwife in NZ
“I didn't really like it!! I know bad things happen in this world but I personally don't dwell on them! I guess it was interesting, but I didn't like it. Sorry.”
Anon
“Powerful, but a bit slow to get its message across. Worth seeing.”
Midwife in NZ
“Beautiful and thoughtful film. Emphasised the importance of women's stories, history, spirituality, beliefs. The simplicity of the presentation allowed the tragedy and happiness to shine through.”
Midwife in NZ
“Very moving, deeply emotional. Long. Stunning acting.”
Midwife in NZ
“I wasn't really sure what to expect. However, once the story began to unfold I was really pulled in. Caitlin Hicks did a really amazing performance. Her emotion and ability to become her “character” is what made the film really beautiful. The film also made me feel not so alone in my personal journey to be an assistant to women – in any way that I can.”
Anon
Note from Vida
To give a balanced perspective, there were also just a few more reviews from those at the Wellington screening who did not want their individual comments used for promotional purposes who said that they found the film quite depressing or dark and that it would have been better left as a play.
Saturday 22nd November 2003, Rotorua
“Very powerful, evoking a myriad of emotions. Perhaps too many at once? It moved quite quickly through me. However, this is a good thing and very much enjoyed the film. Good portrayal.”
Tresa Gielen, midwife in NZ
“The film dealt with a lot of the issues I have had to consider during my pregnancies. I thought the film made a brave attempt to touch on some of the emotional complexities surrounding the birth process.”
Susan Bates
“The film reinforced my beliefs in homebirths and my large mistrust of the medical profession. Being male i.e. monotasked, I was so busy following the film that my feelings were lagging a long way behind. I normally have very strong feelings about the issues portrayed in my life so its as if I've already visited the issues on the film. Great work. I am glad it is being shown everywhere as much as possible.”
Andrew Hoskins
“I thought the film was extremely moving. As a mother of six children, three born in hospital and three born at home, I could relate to a lot of the issues raised in the film. I was very impressed with the acting also. Parts of the film were beautiful and parts were very sad. I felt inspired and also very sad.”
Stacey Rogers
“Brilliant. Scene by scene, word by word. Brilliant. Empowering. I will need further reflection to elaborate on my appreciation for this film. A “Bloody well done” to everyone involved. Thank you for the magic. Thank you for bringing it to New Zealand.”
Killyrae Buchanan
“Loved it! Really captured for me how our whole life experience prepares us for birth – for good or bad. Loved the line “Women don't need to be rescued from birth” (or something like that). Also fantastic music!!”
Bronwyn Fleet
“I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was profound and thought provoking. I loved the way the characters intertwined.”
Juliette Robinson
“We are all shaped by our life experiences and this is a good example of that.”
Sarah McMillan, midwife in NZ
“I thought the film was empowering and positive and started me pondering the spirituality of birth.”
Ingrid (41 years old and expecting first baby)
“Hard to understand.”
Jan Snyman
“Echoes my beliefs and experiences extremely accurately. Felt fearful, rescuey (of my daughter who was present at screening) very moved and affirmed. I'm glad I'm a midwife. I believe in women.”
Maureen O'Reilly, midwife in NZ
“Powerful. Great to see theatre combined with film, with story-telling possessing integrity and giving dignity to the performer(s), playwright and content. Well done. Found the edit irritating – the cross fades. In regard to using the same actress for all leads, within the context of film, I think it's vitally important to use editing to illustrate the transition. Thank you for allowing us the rights to see it. Great story, necessary message, artistic production. Kia kaha!!! Kei te pai!! Tihe mauri ora!”
Anon
“Extremely powerful – connected to women and midwives in an amazingly emotional way. Shows the power and beauty of birth and what we each have to bring as individuals.”
Midwife in NZ
“My feelings included angry, relieved, sad and strengthened that the strong belief in 'normality' survives and miracles of change and acceptance that it is OK to challenge what has become medical views of birth. Hallelujah! Very deep movie – so glad I had the opportunity. Well portrayed and thought provoking. Journeys are so important.”
Anon
Note from Vida
Thank you to all of you who supported the showing of the film in Wellington and Rotorua.... with the 2nd event I managed to cover the two screening costs (thankfully!) and we also donated $350NZD to the "Home Birth Association" - hurrah!! - Vida.
Wednesday 17th December 2003, Dunedin
“Amazing. For me personally it helped me deal with the experience of the caesarean birth of my first child which reminded me of being in a concentration camp.”
Janet, about to become a midwifery student in NZ
“Strong acting – lots of emotion. Liked Sarah's story. Great photography. Enjoyed the film.”
Midwife in NZ
“My breasts – which have been feeding my two babes for 4 ¾ years – collected my tears which streamed down my face throughout the entire film. This movie is the most amazing film I have seen. It is cathartic, healing, honest and pure yet dark and deeply compelling. The depth of emotion expressed was a gift which I feel treasured to have had an opportunity to share. Everyone should be given the opportunity to see this film and it should be compulsory viewing for anyone involved in birth.”
Pene – home-birthing mother of two, NZ
“Very thought provoking, great to think about how midwives and specialists come to childbirth with all the experiences from their past.”
Louise Hopman, mother of three, NZ
“Right on message from the native woman who came knocking on the door. Great glimpses of the fear of birth. Need to see it again.”
Julien Leavis, father of seven home-birthed children, NZ
“Such a profound film and my legs were quivering with reality… I go forward knowing I can make a difference – just magic.”
Carol Adams, mother of four children, NZ
“Women taking their power back, epitomises it for me. It was a powerful, challenging film. It would be good to show it to medical students early in their training and remind them of the normality of birth and the power of women.”
Mary Whitham, midwife in NZ
“Moving and powerful. Reminded me of my own births back in BC.”
Jane Hodges, midwife in NZ
“I was touched deeply and it confirmed my beliefs about childbirth. That a woman certainly doesn't need rescuing. She needs to be loved fully and unconditionally and to trust in her body and her birthing process!!!”
Leisa Clarkson, mother of three home-birthed children, NZ
“Confusing with main actor playing several roles, but powerful idea, powerful music. I'm interested in the issue of choice, e.g. it took a fight for me to get an exemption from wearing a bike helmet; the people I work with are often denied choices. I like the way you blended in many different angles around choice – or lack of it!”
Hazel, nurse working with people with intellectual disabilities in NZ
“It raised a lot of issues, professional, moral and ethical surrounding each birth we choose to share with a woman. The decisions we are faced with and the implications both for our own practice and for the women we care for. I felt a range of emotions – proud to be a midwife, privileged to be in this role, awareness of my own history and experience that I bring and the very real fear of things going “wrong” in the eyes of others. A great movie – thanks!”
Judy, midwife in NZ
“I lost track of how many times tingles went up my spine… the music…the words…the emotion. What an amazing woman. I was touched many times and it brought back many memories for me. Loved the music.”
Louise, student midwife in NZ
“Different to what I expected – very emotional and powerful”
Midwifery student in NZ
“Challenged, sad, hopeful. An interesting and different film.”
Midwife in NZ
“Sobering! Thought provoking. Caitlin Hicks was fantastic. Enjoyed the film but took a while to sort out reflections/flashbacks.”
Midwife in NZ
“Emotional, powerful.”
Midwife in NZ
“Very powerful, incredible use of one actress. SO TALENTED !! Leaves a great deal to think about. Worth the travel to see.”
Midwife in NZ
“A very powerful and moving film.”
Midwife in NZ
“All my emotions were roused – dynamically performed by a truly stunning woman – a gift to all humankind. Stories which resonated at a deeply primal level. Executed with skill, love and a commitment which revealed the deepest desire to share and celebrate with feeling. Ka Pai, Well Done!”
Anon, NZ
“Beautiful, intense, hopeful.”
Mother of four, NZ
“Reaffirmed my belief that each of us brings our own life journey to a birth. Each birth is therefore unique and susceptible to many influences.”
Midwife in NZ
“Not sure! I missed the first couple of minutes. Very emotional.”
Stay-at-home Mother, NZ
“Vindicated.”
Midwife who recently attended a twin homebirth in NZ
What UK audiences have said about “Singing the Bones”
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the film I saw at Poole on the 14th November. It was really powerful, and different. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the midwife and the doctor were both explored as deeply as the women herself, we bring our personalities and experiences with us into everything, which does influence how we are, and how we practice. I have never met a real actress before, and I have real admiration for how much you can submerge yourself into a role - great performance.
Jenny Mallison
Midwife lecturer/practitioner
Bournemouth Maternity
BRAVO!! This is a MUST-see.
Nancy Wainer
Certified Professional Midwife
& International childbirth writer
Once I realised there was a 'story' in the film . . . it held my attention. It was a very moving piece which should be required viewing for doctors, midwives, and all who are involved in the care of women and their babies. It helped me to know what I already knew about the role of the midwife.
Joy Fower
Beautifully filmed. It made me sad because we are still so far away from accepting/ understanding/exploring these powerful, spiritual aspects of birth and women's birth choices.
Sarah Davies
Midwifery Professor
Salford University
Manchester, England
No woman ever forgets the way she was treated when she gave birth. This film confirmed my feeling that the worst pain, and the most avoidable suffering, is not that which nature brings us, but that which we bring to each other. When we realise this, then we will be able to let ourselves and others own our pain, move through it, and emerge stronger and more committed to living. This is what midwives do every day.
Midwife
England, UK
Most enjoyable, and challenging. Overriding feeling for me as a 'hospital' midwife is that we are not given the opportunity (in hospital) of engaging with women in the way that the midwife in the film could. This is what our practice lacks.
Midwife
I really felt this film. I have never been able to contemplate having a hospital birth due to the removal of control from such a natural and powerful event. Thank you, well done.
Nurse
soon to be midwife
What a powerful thought provoking evening! Thank you [organisers stated here]. I don't know if any one from G.P. training or obstetrics was here this evening? The debate needs to be taken to the policy makers.
Name not known
Very thought provoking, demonstrates the 'baggage' we all bring to a birth.
Cruella
newly qualified midwife
The film has made me realize that everyone involved in a birth brings with them their own life experience which will change their experience of the birth itself.
Chris Walker
Student Midwife
A lot to take in, very emotional, made me think what is real, what is prejudice.
Mother
Very thought provoking and powerful
Carol
Student Midwife
I need to see it again. Spirituality is something hospitals are not in touch with.
Name not known
Very powerful. Having seen it once before, it was even better this second time. It is an important film which I feel should be more available to all midwives,student midwives and women.
Karen Beckett