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Deep Dive: Midwives (2022)

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Midwives
Midwives is a 2022 Burmese documentary directed by Hnin Ei Hlaing, focusing on the relationship between Hla, a Buddhist midwife, and her Rohingya Muslim apprentice, Nyo Nyo, in Rakhine State, Myanmar. The film captures Hla's efforts to provide maternity care to the local Rohingya population, who face travel restrictions to access healthcare. This situation creates tension with the local Buddhist community, particularly as legislation is enacted that ultimately prevents Hla from treating Rohingya patients. Filmed over five years, the documentary presents a complex narrative of support and prejudice. Hla expresses derogatory views towards Nyo Nyo and the Rohingya community while simultaneously risking her safety to offer care. The film concludes amid rising anti-Rohingya sentiment and the political upheaval following the 2021 coup d'état in Myanmar, illustrating the broader societal issues at play.

Why Watch

  • •See Hla's maternity clinic in Rakhine State.
  • •Meet Nyo Nyo, who starts her own clinic.
  • •Find out about the impact of Myanmar's 2021 coup.

Did You Know

•The film won the Special Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
•Hnin Ei Hlaing filmed the documentary over a span of five years.
•Midwives premiered on January 21, 2022, at the Sundance Film Festival.
•The film has a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes from 13 reviews.

Perfect For

Buddhist-Muslim relationsRohingya issuesDocumentary filmmaking