"Birth in the Forest"

“Birth in the Forest” aims to explore, at various scales, the determinants that shape the spaces allocated to women during childbirth in remote rural areas of southern Laos. It offers a unique perspective on the experience of women giving birth in the forest, conveyed through the voices of the women themselves, a traditional birth attendant, village leaders, and healthcare workers. Beyond the act of childbirth, the film reveals the intricate web of factors influencing women's vulnerability, including social and gender inequalities, global and local health policies, the role of ethnic minorities, the local impact of international decisions, and the influence of the spiritual realm. This film is the result of a collaboration between an anthropologist and a filmmaker, grounded in anthropological data on childbirth in remote Laos, gathered over the past decade. It also draws on research conducted as part of the HEALTH project (2020-2024) in Katang villages, funded by Expertise France.