In October 2019, 30-year-old Shamony Gibson tragically died 13 days following the birth of her son. Two months later, we began filming Shamony’s surviving mother, Shawnee Benton Gibson, and bereaved partner, Omari Maynard, as they began to process what happened and figure out their new normal.
In April 2020, 26-year-old Amber Rose Isaac, died due to an emergency c-section. Within weeks of Amber’s death, Omari reaches out to Amber’s surviving partner Bruce McIntyre and a lifelong bond is formed. Together, Omari and Bruce begin the fight for justice for their partners with their families and community by their side, while caring for their children as newly single parents.
Through the film, we witness these two families become ardent activists in the maternal health space, seeking justice through legislation, medical accountability, community, and the power of art. Their work introduces us to a myriad of people including a growing brotherhood of surviving Black fathers, along with the work of midwives and physicians on the ground fighting for institutional reform. Through their collective journeys, we find ourselves on the front lines of the growing birth justice movement that is demanding systemic change within our medical system and government.
Directed and Produced by:
Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis Lee
Edited by:
Flavia de Souza
Sunita Prasad
Cinematography by:
Jenni Morello
Kerwin Devonish
Michael Crommett
Music by:
Chanda Dancy
Story Producer
Lucas Guilkey
Line Producer
Kate Lewin Hilgenberg
Post-Producer
Jeremy Zerechak
Executive Producers
Dawn Porter
Jenny Raskin
Geralyn White Dreyfous
Davis Guggenheim
Rahdi Taylor
Tegan Acton
Emma Pompetti
Janet Tittiger
Patty Quillin
Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros
Co-Executive Producers
Lauren Haber
Kelsey Koenig
Nina and David Fialkow
Barbara and Eric Dobkin
Donna and Kevin Gruneich
Bill and Eva Price