Filmmaker Statement

At its core, this is a story about whether an act of love can also be an act of violence, and whether something grotesque might ultimately bring about something good. I wanted to explore the cost of creation—what we’re willing to sacrifice to bring new life into the world—while subverting familiar narratives where women are expected to give everything, or where nature is endlessly exploited for human gain. In this story, it’s the woman who survives, and the future belongs to her and her child. I’m drawn to telling female-led stories that focus on women navigating moral complexity, survival, and resilience. This film continues that thread, placing a woman at the heart of a narrative about choice and consequence, in a world where life comes at a cost and agency is hard-won. This is also reflected by the unseen Mother figure lingering in a bedroom, her recovery tied to the couple’s decision. She represents the invisible systems and histories that shape women’s choices—the roles, burden