Anything You Lose. That’s the name of a timely documentary that puts infertility in the spotlight. This film opens minds and generates discussion. Furthermore, it’s earning awards of excellence and will have its North American premier in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 7.
Chalk it up to kismet or mercury retrograde, but I reconnected recently with the film’s director Irina Vodar. It was the first time we’d spoken in a few years, however, we fell back into a mind meld as if no time had passed. Long-time readers of this blog may recall an interview with Irina Vodar in 2013 when she was in the early stages of formulating this film.
Irina Vodar Tackles Taboos
Back then, the interview — appropriately titled Let’s Change Some Attitudes — looked forward to a day when women and men who’d confronted infertility and the losses it generates could express their experiences openly and honestly. First, we posed the question:
How can we talk about infertility, how can we help someone process infertility if we lack a common language or socialized behavior to do so?
Not surprisingly, we touched a live wire. Because that blog post generated 56 comments. (Do you remember when people use to read blogs and comment? Yeah, that’s changed quite a bit, too.)
So, you might also recall a 2013 event Irina produced in New York City called The Cycle: Living a Taboo? For me, that event as a pivotal moment. I wrote about it in this post: One Small Step For Infertility Awareness, One Giant Leap For Society.
Sitting in the audience that night were two women who came forward to tell their stories. Happily, they have since become dear friends and fellow bloggers, Sarah Chamberlin and Cathy Broadwell.
Documentary Impact
In 2023, the taboo is abating. If Anything You Lose is any indication, there’s a great power in seeing reality. As Irina explained back in 2013:
“Documentary is a way to look at the world around us, at the reality with penetrating glasses on. It’s a fascinating medium because it uses everyday occurrence as the building blocks and reflects how we perceive ourselves. It offers a powerful way to understand and grow.”
Premier details: Anything You Lose will screen Oct 7, 2023 at the Awareness Film Festival at the Regal LA Live Cinemas. You can buy tickets here. Think of it as a chance to be a part of history, and an opportunity to meet a filmmaker keen on raising infertility awareness. I’m adjusting my calendar and making road trip arrangements so I can be there, too. If you can’t join in, tell a friend.
By spreading the word, you’ll help achieve goals Irina has for Anything You Lose such as recognizing the growing prevalence of infertility among us. She’d also like to:
• Advocate for transparency in chances of success in all forms of Assisted Reproductive Technologies
• Understand the imprint of reproductive treatments on our behaviors and its impact on our relationships (PTSD)
• Recognize grief due to a failed IVF cycle or a miscarriage is equal to a loss of a child, and give condolences
• We know that adoption is not for everyone and we need time to say goodbye
• Advocate for reproductive clinics staff and work environment sensitivity training
• Donate a portion of the proceeds to provide vital support to those dealing with infertility”
Please feel free to share this blog post and this important documentary information to your networks. As always, welcome your thoughts.
