Educational Media Reviews Online

The Baby Shower grew out of producer Sue Cohn's desire to document women's pregnancy stories. She notes that there is very little in literature or media about pregnancy that is personal rather than medical. This video is her attempt to fill the gap within literature and art documenting women and their experiences during pregnancy, labor and delivery.

The program opens with shots of Alice Neel's famed nude portraits of pregnant women and explores the definition of beauty and voluptuousness as not defined by male society. Instead, the "earth mother" type of figure is celebrated. The Baby Shower offers a collage of images and interviews. There are repeated shots of Cohn's body as her pregnancy progresses, interspersed with moments from her yoga class for expecting mothers, interviews with women in attendance at her baby shower, and culminates with her trip to the hospital and the birth of her daughter. The video explores the ritual of the baby shower in American culture and the experiences associated with it and motherhood. Throughout the video, brief clips of interviews with the shower attendees are featured, and cover topics ranging from attempting to become pregnant, labor, and the first glimpse of one's newborn child.

The Baby Shower uses a variety of symbols and films clips to explore the common experiences of women and motherhood. A clock overlaying the image of Cohn's pregnant torso is used as a metaphor for the countdown to delivery. The interview portion of the film is very powerful, and demonstrates how a common experience can affect women very differently. The film also offers a very personal glimpse into one person's life and experiences.

This video is well made and uses an unusual technique to explore the cultural ideas surrounding pregnancy. It would be best suited to a college or university level library and audience. It differs from documentaries on pregnancy and labor and delivery in that it focuses on the personal and emotional side of pregnancy, rather than the factual, medical, or scientific aspects.

Recommended for purchase.