"April" Is an Unflinching Portrait of a Doctor's Fight for Reproductive Justice
Briefly

Dea Kulumbegashvili's film "April" offers a stark and emotional portrayal of childbirth and abortion, set against the backdrop of eastern Georgia. Unlike typical American depictions, the film presents a simulated abortion and two unsimulated births, all captured in static single takes that highlight the weightiness of these experiences. The cinematography enhances the rawness and authenticity, inviting viewers to witness the realities of pregnancy without flinching. This artistic choice infuses these medical procedures with a sense of respect and gravity, making the audience grapple with the discomfort and significance of life and death.
The extraordinary bleakness of "April" challenges the audience through its unflinching portrayal of childbirth and abortion as integral, yet painfully raw, human experiences.
Through its static takes and focus on medical procedure duration, "April" elevates acts of childbirth and abortion into sacred experiences, forcing viewers to confront their reality.
Read at The New Yorker
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