Birth Rites Collection

Annabel Newfield, 2008,
Video work, approx 11 mins

Working with heavily pregnant authentic-movement dancer, Tracey West, the film explores her fears, hopes and choices around the birth of her child. Primarily using movement, the film offers the viewer an intimate portrait of a pregnant woman at the birth threshold.

The film works with the visual metaphor of trees and plants broken through concrete, and the domestic setting, to parallel the dancer’s personal story.

Film-maker, Annabel Newfield is drawn to work with the subject of Birth, as there are so many misconceptions and taboos around it. In 'Cracks Threshold', through the medium of dance-film, Newfield continues her quest to understand life through stories that move the viewer to question their own potential and possibilities.