Birth Bestie
It is 6 p.m. in New York City. Simone Colbert is leaving her 9-to-5 –– except she’s not going home. She’s on doula duty.
As a Black woman and mother of two herself, she understands firsthand what it’s like to not have a fully supported pregnancy and birth experience. Black women in the United States are nine times more likely to die during childbirth. But Simone also knows what it feels like to take back control of the birthing experience
Simone assists in letting the mother’s wants and needs exist at the center of the birthing process. Through her relationship with Nika, a returning client, it becomes apparent that even when it seems as if there is no one, your doula is always there.
Screens live on Saturday, Dec. 10
Q&A with filmmaker to follow
Filmmaker
Amira Williams
Amira Williams (she/they) is a filmmaker from Atlanta, GA, now living in New York City. New to filmmaking, ‘Birth Bestie’ is her first documentary, a short about a doula combatting New York City’s high maternal mortality rates. Amira has previously worked on My Name is Pauli Murray, a Peabody award-winning feature-length documentary about an unsung Civil Rights hero. When they’re not brainstorming new film ideas, Amira is working on improving their roller skating skills or buying more books than they have time to read. They are passionate about social justice issues, especially those pertaining to Black women and Black queer and trans people. Her goal is to create films that speak to how community is paramount to our survival.
Email: akw2146@columbia.edu
