athrets BENEFIT SCREENING OF THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN THIS WEEK
Nantucket Midwife, Sybille Andersen, is pleased to announce a special sneak preview of "The Business of Being Born," a documentary film directed by Abby Epstein and executive produced by Ricki Lake.

Executive Producer Ricki Lake and Director Abby Epstein.

In 2001, actress Ricki Lake gave birth to her second child with the assistance of a midwife in her home bathtub. She made the choice for a home birth after she experienced unwanted medical interventions while delivering her first child at a hospital birthing center. Ricki succeeded in giving birth on her own terms and the experience was so unexpectedly empowering and life-changing that she felt every woman should know what they could be missing.

Ricki approached filmmaker Abby Epstein to collaborate on a film that would examine birth culture in America, and ask questions about the way American women have babies.

Footage of women having babies punctuates "The Business of Being Born." Each experience is unique; all are equally beautiful and equally surprising. Giving birth is clearly the most physically challenging event these women have ever experienced, but it is also the most emotionally rewarding.

There will be a special benefit screeening of "The Business of Being Born" Directed by Abby Epstein, Executive Produced by Ricki Lake, Thursday, Jan. 10, 4 p.m. in the Nantucket High School Large Group Instruction Room, and on Saturday, Jan.12, 3 p.m. at the Starlight Theater. Tickets are $10, $5 for seniors and students. For more information go to www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com.

Along the way, Epstein conducts interviews with a number of obstetricians, experts and advocates about the history, culture and economics of childbirth. The film's fundamental question is: should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potential medical emergency?

As Epstein uncovers some surprising answers, her own pregnancy adds a very personal dimension to "The Business of Being Born" the film is of interest for anyone even thinking about having a baby.

This film premiered at New York's Tribeca Film Festival and is due to be released in theaters this month. It will then be available on Netflix in February 2008. The filmmakers are allowing these local screenings to help raise awareness on the topic and support birth organizations on a local level. All proceeds from this advance screening will go to benefit The Foundation for the Advancement of Midwifery.

There will be a special benefit screeening of "The Business of Being Born" Directed by Abby Epstein, Executive Produced by Ricki Lake Thursday, Jan. 10, 4 p.m. at the Nantucket High School Large Group Instruction Room, and on Saturday, Jan.12, 3 p.m. at the Starlight Theater. Tickets are $10, $5 for seniors and students. For more information go to

www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com. I