A Uniquely Intimate New Documentary: Doula! The Ultimate Birth Companion

DOULA! THE ULTIMATE BIRTH COMPANION is a new 65 minute intimate and emotionally charged documentary film about doulas - professional birth companions - launching worldwide on DVD on June 7th 2010. End Quote

I'm hoping the Doula! film will empower other women to have the birth they want, with the help of a doula.

(1888PressRelease) May 21, 2010 - London, UK - UK production company Alto Films is releasing their latest documentary by film-maker Toni Harman (Credo, Real Birth Stories).

Doula! The Ultimate Birth Companion is a 65 minute, intimate and emotionally charged documentary about doulas - professional birth companions - and their part in pregnancy, birth and the first few weeks. The Doula! film will be available on DVD and will launch in cinemas, cafes, playgroups and antenatal clinics around the world on June 7th 2010.

Through close-up documentary footage of three doula-supported births, Doula! captures the non-medical but highly practical and emotional support given to the mother before, during and after childbirth. This unique look into a doula supported birth is captured through two intimately filmed home water births and accompanied by a video diary shot by the parents of a home birth that ends in a hospital caesarean section.

Film-maker Toni Harman said "I was inspired to make Doula! by my own difficult birth experience two years ago that ended in an emergency caesarean. I wish I had known about doulas then as I'm sure I would have had a much more positive experience. The film has really opened my eyes about the amazing difference having a doula can make and I'm hoping the film will empower other women to have the birth they want, with the help of a doula."

Doula! is supported by the UK's non-profit doula organisation, Doula UK. In the UK, over 2,500 births a year are doula-supported. Bridget Baker, Doula UK co-chair said, "Doula! shows how the calm accepting presence of a doula can enhance the whole experience of childbirth. From the practical to the emotional, we become aware of some of the work an intuitive doula can do. The film is a joyful and inspirational view of doulas at work."

The Doula! film premiere is at 11.30am on June 7th at Everyman The Screen On The Green Cinema in Islington, London followed by a Q&A with the film-maker, doulas and parents featured in the film. Press tickets available by contacting info ( @ ) altofilms dot com

The production team behind Doula! have also created film screening kits which come with the DVD in an attempt to encourage public screenings, which the film is licensed for. The screening kits are now available to buy from the film's website www.doulafilm.com

More information about Doula! The Ultimate Birth Companion available on www.doulafilm.com

Contact info for this press release: Toni Harman, Producer, Alto Films Ltd
Email: info ( @ ) altofilms dot com Cell: +44 (0) 7770 794233

Doula! was produced by Ms. Harman's production company Alto Films Ltd whose previous credits include the supernatural thriller Credo (Directed by Harman) which was released by Lionsgate in the US. Alto also created the documentary series Real Birth Stories that told five honest accounts of pregnancy and childbirth. Information on Alto Films can be found at www.altofilms.com

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