Ricki Lake on Mothering and Midwives in “Business of Being Born”
TVs Ricki Lake puts forth a strong case for midwives over hospitals in her controversial new documentary
By Kat Kramer
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 1/20/08 – Motherhood and Midwives are the focus of a new documentary that bowed this past week with a star-studded premiere in Los Angeles led by director Abby Epstein and executive producer Ricki Lake.
Called “The Business Of Being Born,” it explores the birthing process – since they are both mothers – and has been generating it’s share of controversy. It focuses on midwives and the film makes such an impact that some believe it will create a boom in midwifery, encouraging more to women will choose to give birth at home rather than in a hospital.
Ricki was determined to experience “the journey” of giving birth, and wants other mothers to be able to have the same opportunity. She even allows herself to be filmed giving birth. “I wanted to remember the experience,” Ricki explained. “I didn’t want to be drugged up or knocked out from it.” How did her friends react? “Well, I was not the norm. I wanted to be a part of it. That’s what got me started. Abby and I had worked together, she directed me in “The Vagina Monologues.” Ricki and Abby visited on a social level, and “I told her my idea, and we got started.”
It has already opened in New York, Australia, New Zealand, and is about to make its way into select theatres across the country. The recent LA premiere took place at The Fine Arts Theatre in Los Angeles with some star power. Cindy Crawford, Camryn Manheim, and Amber Tamblyn were some of the celebs who turned out to check out this intriguing look at birth.
Before the film, singer/songwriter Donna DeLory performed an original song in honor of the film, accompanied by cellist Cameron Stone. There was a Q&A with Ricki and Abby following the screening and the response was tremendous.
One question that was raised was how do doctors respond to the film? “We recently had a screening at Grand Rounds Hospital and it was tough,” Abby explained. “They were calling me a Nazi propagandist filmmaker.” But Ricki assured the audience it’s been mostly positive, with most women saying, “We love Ricki Lake.”
We recently spoke with Ricki Lake about the film, and what’s next. “Abby and I are working on a book that’s more in depth, and will cover areas we didn’t touch on in the film, because it was only 85 minutes. It will include more personal stories and it will be a positive birth book, along the lines of the movie.” And how did Ricki and Abby collaborate together on the movie? “Three years of production,” Ricki said, “and it was mostly in my head before we even started the project. I had the idea during my second pregnancy and right after. I thought I wanted to do something where I could get this information I’d learned out to the public. I had educated myself by going to conferences,” Ricki continued,” I asked myself, why am I the only one among my friends that really cares about the process of giving birth?”
Natural Mama Media hosted the premiere, and some of the official sponsors included Bum Genius, Oasis Child, and Fresh Mommy. Silver sponsors included Medela, H2om Water, and Steaz Organic Sodas. There was a silent auction with proceeds going to ‘Bloom.’ Each guest got a giant gift bag filled with goodies, and there was an after party in a tent near the lobby – and very crowed.
Lake and Epstein look forward to a “whole new generation of doctors and midwives who will be able to change the system for the good.”
“The Business Of Being Born”
Laemmle’s Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles
MPAA rating: Unrated, Running time: 1 hour, 24 minutes.