LA FOCUS - When The Bough Breaks: a documentary about postpartum depression
An inside look at postpartum depression, which affects 1 in 5 new mothers after childbirth.
Interview with filmmakers Tanya Newbould, Jamielyn Lippman & Lindsay Gerszt
Watch When The Bough Breaks: a documentary about postpartum depression on Tubi and Plex
Main photo: When The Bough Breaks - Lindsay Gerszt/producer, Tanya Newbould/producer, Jamielyn Lippman/producer and director
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Jamielyn Lippman – I was directing a documentary about actors called “Die Trying” and one of the women I interviewed was Tanya Newbould. We got to talking and she mentioned she had really bad postpartum depression after the birth of her daughter. She said there really needs to be a documentary about it and asked if it would be something I would be interested in making.
I didn’t know much about it but after having 100 women answer an ad in 24 hours wanting to share their stories to help others it blew my mind. This illness affects 1 in 5 women and yet nobody is talking about it. I had so many misconceptions about it as most people do and I felt compelled as a mother to make a film about something that was this important, could help women and save lives
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Tanya Newbould - You should watch this film because I guarantee you personally know at least one person who has suffered from ppd. This film will educate you and give you a solid understanding about postpartum depression and the stigma that goes along with it.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Jamielyn Lippman - Lindsay and Tanya are both producers of this film and bravely share their stories, which I think many women will relate to. We cover everything from the baby blues to postpartum psychosis so I think anyone who has suffered from ppd will find someone in the film to relate to. The universal theme is that it can happen to ANYONE.
How has the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Jamielyn Lippman – I did a ton of research on this subject and would spend hours every night before an interview learning as much as I could about each subject. Being someone that didn’t experience postpartum depression I compiled a list of questions that I would want the answers to in hopes that the audience would want the same answers. Our brilliant editor Samantha Smart wrote all of the narration.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Lindsay Gerszt- We have received wonderful feedback so far. I think as a society, especially with all of the recent celebrities sharing their own stories with ppd, we are more ready than ever to see this film and understand all aspects of perinatal mood disorders. Most people aware of our film are so excited for it to come out and can’t wait to see it.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Lindsay Gerszt - When making this film we knew that some people would not get it or want to open their minds to such tragedy as what can happen during postpartum psychosis. Surprisingly the feedback has been mostly support.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Tanya Newbould - We are grateful for your interest and involvement and we are looking to achieve higher visibility of our film that will lead to more viewers and therefore help women and families and possibly save lives.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Lindsay Gerszt – We need a distributor who understands the importance of this film and the impact it will make on the way society views mental illness. There are lives at stake and we have the ability to educate and help save those lives.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Lindsay Gerszt - We want to continue the conversation about perinatal mood disorders, how to seek help if you are struggling or if you love someone who is suffering, educate society on the different forms of PPD and helping them understand signs to look out for, and fight the stigma that goes with this mental illness. Most importantly we want to make sure that if you are having a hard time and are worried about what others will think of you if you share your story- YOU ARE NOT ALONE! SHARE YOUR STORY AND GET HELP!
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Lindsay Gerszt - The most controversial question of all!!!! Why do some women who suffer from postpartum psychosis harm themselves or their child/ren? This is a conversation and debate that must be had.
What are the key creative developing or working on now?
Jamielyn Lippman – Is currently directing/producing the documentary“3 Years in Pakistan: The Erik Aude Story: which is the true life story of an actor who was duped into drug smuggling and spent three years in a Pakistani prison.
Tanya Newbould – just completed the feature film “Treachery” and is the owner and designer of the La based jewelry company Del Pozzo Designs.
Lindsay Gerszt – Continues to raise awareness for postpartum depression.
Interview: June 2016
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If you enjoyed reading about 'When The Bough Breaks' please check out our platform: www.wearemovingstories.com We embrace new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you are a filmmaker - we'd love you to contribute. More info: Carmela (cbaranowska@protonmail.com)
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When The Bough Breaks: a documentary about postpartum depression
An inside look at postpartum depression, which affects 1 in 5 new mothers after childbirth.
Length: 93 min
Director: Jamielyn Lippman
Producer: Tanya Newbould, Jamielyn Lippman & Lindsay Gerszt
Writer: Jamielyn Lippman & Samantha Smart
About the writer, director and producer:
Jamielyn Lippman is from Valencia, CA she attended LACC Film School. She is the director/producer of the documentary “Die Trying” about the underlying determination to be an actor in Hollywood. “When The Bough Breaks” is her second feature length documentary. She is also the owner of Point Of View Pictures.
Lindsay Gerszt is from Miami FL. In 2007 she moved to Los Angeles and spent 10 years in the music industry working as an artist manager. In 2008 she came face to face with postpartum depression. She is a producer of When The Bough Breaks and has now committed herself to raising awareness for PPD.
Tanya Newbould is from Manchester England, she is an actress and has appeared in over 18 feature films including X-Men, Rush Hour 2, Red Dragon & Skyline. Tanya battled postpartum depression in 2008 and is a producer of When The Bough Breaks.
Key cast: Brooke Shields (Narrator) Carnie Wilson, Aarti Sequeira & Peggy Tanous
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Distribution
Made in association with: Point Of View Pictures
Release date: March 14, 2017.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/when-the-bough-breaks/id1210503223