The 4th Pacific Human Rights Film Festival commenced with the screening of the documentary “Pacific Mother” on October 5 at Damodar City Cinemas.
This documentary captures the birthing experiences of mothers from the perspectives of women living in the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Tuvalu, and Japan. Director and writer Katherine McRae emphasized the universality of the film, noting that it resonates with audiences through its themes.
McRae highlighted that some Pacific island nations have restrictive legislation regarding the qualifications required for midwives. She pointed out a specific situation in Hawaii, where new laws were emerging that necessitated midwives to hold qualifications that are not available in the state.
“As a result, women in remote islands—despite having significant birthing knowledge and experience—can no longer identify as midwives, making it illegal for them to assist in childbirth, which I find extremely concerning,” she stated.
Heike Alefsen, the United Nations Human Rights (UNOCHR) Pacific regional representative, mentioned that the aim of the film festival is to engage audiences with topics that are often overlooked in mainstream discussions. She remarked, “Many of us watch films without being fully aware of the profound stories and backgrounds behind them.”