Postpartum

Final day of a mother who suffers with postpartum depression.

Claire lives on a compound in Saudi Arabia where division between her western compound and the wider society increases her feeling of isolation caused by postpartum. Claire lives a rich exotic life, has help at home and a caring husband. However, ten months after labor she still cannot beat the depression that she has no control over.

Postpartum focuses on the day she has chosen to fight her condition whatever the outcome. She try's to interact with others, with the environment she lives in, and most importantly with her son James, but postpartum has taken control of her life and ultimately may end it if she looses the battle.

  • Nancy Paton
    Director
  • Nancy Paton
    Writer
  • Nancy Paton
    Producer
  • Nancy Paton
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 8, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Saudi Arabia
  • Language:
    French
  • Shooting Format:
    Canon 5D Mark III
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • London Independent Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    March 24, 2016
    United Kingdom Premiere
  • London Rolling Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 17, 2016
  • Southend On Sea Film Festival
    Southend on Sea
    United Kingdom
    May 31, 2016
  • Worldfest Houston International Film Festival
    Houston
    United States
    April 15, 2016
    World Premiere
    Gold Remi Award Short Film
  • Melbourne Indie Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    July 13, 2016
    Australian Premiere
    Best Director
  • Reel Health International Film Festival 2
    Melbourne
    Australia
    November 16, 2016
  • Nightpiece Film Festival 2016
    Edinburgh
    United Kingdom
    August 19, 2016
    Edinburgh
  • Cyprus International Film Festival 2016
    Cyprus
    Greece
    September 22, 2016
    Cyprus
  • Bridges International Film Festival 2016
    Corinth
    Greece
    October 19, 2016
    Corinth
  • Sydney Indie Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    October 20, 2016
    Sydney
    Best Actress
  • Laughlin International Film Festival
    Laughlin
    United States
    October 16, 2016
    Laughlin
  • Buffalo International Film Festival
    Buffalo
    United States
    October 7, 2016
Director Biography - Nancy Paton

Nancy Paton is an Australian filmmaker residing in Saudi Arabia. Soon after finishing the award winning short film Daisy which she wrote, produced and directed, she starred in the award winning short film Postpartum which she also wrote, produced and directed. She has just completed the short film Choke for the 48 Film Project, two music videos and two documentaries; Maisy and the Making of Daisy and The Black Abaya. She is in-development on two feature films Touched and In Her Shoes.

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Director Statement

Postpartum depression is a real issue affecting millions of mothers worldwide, irrespective of their race, religion or socio-economic status. POSTPARTUM is a unique offering, having been shot by an all female film crew in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These women had little or no prior filmmaking experience and I had to teach them filmmaking from scratch before we went into production. The women were aged between 21 and 70 years of age and came from all over the world. 6 out of the 24 women were Saudi Arabian Women. In a country where women are not permitted to do many things and were cinema is illegal, these six women were an inspiration to work with and learn from. We hope that this short film will help raise awareness to this important issue.