Witches

On one hand, I deeply appreciate the filming, execution, aesthetics, and content of this movie. I believe that the topic of perinatal mental health is crucial and is discussed minimally, primarily within small circles of experts. These women are incredibly brave for sharing their experiences honestly and unflinchingly, as they truly are. The bond among women for a greater purpose is beautiful to witness. Feeling like a witch and using the imagery of witches as a metaphor for these issues is an intriguing artistic choice.

On the other hand, not all women see themselves as witches, nor do they wish to be. Medical professionals and doctors (including male doctors) are not the ones metaphorically seeking to "burn" today's "witches." Psychiatric wards are not prisons where one will be tortured, and the old concept of herbalist witches offering care from home is not inherently better than modern medical practices. Stigma exists, clearly, and the media-highlighted cases mentioned in this film exemplify that. However, postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis are not witchcraft for which someone will be burned. Sankey has taken a good metaphor too far, unnecessarily stepping into a new wave of feminism.

And incredibly brave.

Members of a self-help group share their experiences with perinatal mental health disorders. Their confessions are incredibly intimate and courageous, as the negative aspects of motherhood are among the most taboo in our civilization. The women speak of doctors ignoring symptoms, shame about their own thoughts, and recall historical witch trials and embarrassing contemporary statistics on ethnic discrimination in healthcare.

The film is richly illustrated with film clips showing, among other things, the profound infantilization of motherhood in popular culture. This means that women experiencing perinatal mental health disorders are often left completely alone with their problems, which sometimes ends tragically. And although subsequent embarrassing statistics confirm this, this issue is absent from the social and political debate, at least in most countries. Many documentaries address important social issues: economic inequality, discrimination against certain social groups, the planet's ecological degradation, dictatorial regimes and harsh laws targeting political dissidents, and the distortions of late capitalism. Yet, all of these issues are widely known. Perinatal mental health disorders are perhaps the most hermetic topic, one that remains largely unspoken. Or rarely and quietly discussed. This is why this is one of the most important documentaries, as it explores a widely unknown issue.

I loved this documentary and of course I thought it could never be made in America. Touched on so many powerful and taboo subjects that we as women, and some of us, mothers, are too painfully aware of. It's interesting to realize this has been going on for hundreds of years but sad to think so much has remained the same. I might have liked to see a bit more science behind the chemical causes of postpartum OCD, depression and psychosis to further demystify the subject matter, but regardless, a very well made and powerful feminist perspective. I hope the director continues to delve into these issues as this kind of filmmaking is sorely needed.