Director: Carolyn Jones Producers: Carolyn Jones, Lisa Frank
Description:
In the U.S.—where more women die in childbirth than any other wealthy nation—the joys of pregnancy and motherhood are often overshadowed by fear. Amid a growing maternal health crisis, especially for women of color, this film tells the story of the glimmers of hope: women finding their voice and autonomy; nurses listening to women and offering birth choices; and hospital leaders welcoming the community as the patient. It paints a joyous portrait of the moment babies come into the world, and the heroic efforts of families and communities to catch new mothers before they fall through the broken maternal health safety net.
Biography:
Carolyn Jones is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker who specializes in telling stories that shed light on issues of global concern from people “living positively” with AIDS to women artists supporting entire communities and nurses on the front lines of our healthcare system. Her most widely acclaimed book publications include Living Proof: Courage in the Face of AIDS and The American Nurse, which led to a documentary included in the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase. Her award-winning documentary Defining Hope, which was the culmination of a journey investigating how we can make better end-of-life choices, was broadcast over 1,000 times on PBS stations nationwide. Carolyn’s recent documentary In Case of Emergency, focuses on our nation’s biggest public health challenges—from COVID-19 to a lack of health insurance to the devastating impact of the opioid crisis.
Lisa Frank is a documentary producer and non-profit director who guides documentary and multimedia projects from inception through distribution and outreach/engagement. She has spent the last 15 years collaborating with Carolyn Jones on projects centered on healthcare, nursing, and how we can collectively work to eliminate disparities in care. Their film In Case of Emergency paints a startling picture of our nation’s ERs stretched to the breaking point, and was awarded the Grand Jury award for Best Documentary at the United Nations Association Film Festival. Her work has reached millions of viewers on platforms including PBS stations nationwide and the Discovery Network.
