Born Free: Birth in America

Name: Born Free: Birth in America
Director: Paula James Martinez
Released: 2022

Paula James Martinez 2022

Filmmaker Paula James Martinez travels across the United States to understand what makes it the most dangerous and expensive nation to give birth in. From heartbreaking personal stories and harrowing facts to perspectives of experts both in the medical and legal fields, BORN FREE shines a light on the true cost of giving birth in the US.

The film invites every American to start a conversation about the state of maternal health.

Add to Playlist

Add Bookmark

Bookmark List

Play Trailer

Running Time:

95 min.

Spoken Languages:

English

Subtitles:

English

Directors:

Paula James Martinez

Producers:

Paula James Martinez, Rebecca Dayan, Stephanie Perez, Lianne Turner, Sara Ojjeh, Anthony James-Martinez, Vanessa Hope, Robert F. Profusek, Claire Olshan

Cinematographers:

Seannie Bryan

Editors:

Steph Zenee Perez

Production Companies:

Moon Cookie Films

Press

insider

ilmmaker Paula James-Martinez didn't set out to become a maternal health activist. Then she got pregnant. As a Brit who'd moved to the US to work in women's magazines, she encountered various issues when pregnant with her daughter, Luna. Lots of things didn't make sense to her. Like, why is the US maternal mortality rate at its highest today since 1965, with 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births? Why are Black birthing people four times more likely to die from childbirth complications than white people? And why do things keep getting worse?

Jennifer Barton

Additional Materials

Distribution Company

Back to Film Summary

This Week’s Featured Films

In this poignant and deeply intimate documentary 3 kids temporarily removed from their parents find friendship and flickers of hope inside the worn walls of a remarkable orphanage in Eastern Ukraine, as a group of dedicated social-workers create moments of joy and respite
The Right to Read shares the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read.
Yaara Bou Melhem’s documentary "Unseen Skies" explores state and corporate surveillance evolution through Trevor Paglen's audacious launch of artwork in space.
Oliver Stone's documentary explores the potential of nuclear energy as a solution to climate change and energy poverty.
I’m Doing My Job follows 6 young, female South Asian & Black emergency medical physicians’ lives throughout the pandemic in NYC.
Two Milwaukee high schools situated a mile apart, one mostly Black and the other white, unite under the leadership of a unique coach to ultimately learn what it truly means to come together as a team
If birth and pregnancy are a lens on how society values its women, why has it become a fight that American women are losing?
As the nation faces the end of Roe v. Wade, follow three women leading formidable anti-abortion organizations to witness the enormous influence they wield at the intersection and future of abortion and politics in America.
A one-hour documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the birth of a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress
More than half of the 80 million Millennials in America are politically Independent. Every single one of them will be needed if the planet is to avoid climate catastrophe
A harrowing look into the systemic discrimination against women in the fields of science
The first definitive, comprehensive documentary film on ADHD
A ground-breaking examination of the history of African Americans on the road from the early 1900’s through the 1960’s and beyond - a crucial window on issues of class, automobile culture, discrimination and national identity
Amin had an extraordinary child refugee journey from Afghanistan. He is facing a painful secret he kept hidden for 20 years, threatening to derail his life and his soon-to-be husband