Dear Soleila

A Documentary SHort

A community rallies around a Brooklyn couple embracing a home birth, illuminating the beauty of reclaiming this tradition while confronting societal resistance.

SYNopsis

In August 2022, Herman Jean-Noël began filming his family's journey in Hawaii, unknowingly capturing the conception of his daughter, Soleila. His footage, on various devices throughout pregnancy and delivery, forms the basis of "Dear Soleila," a documentary exploring Herman and Alicia’s home birth amidst rising U.S. maternal mortality rates and societal norms favoring hospital births. The film, interwoven with their reflections, family insights, and her birthing team’s perspectives, delves into the evolution of childbirth practices and confronts skepticism and healthcare barriers. Culminating in Soleila's birth, the documentary is a departure from the growing number of heart-breaking stories of loss. “Dear Soleila” celebrates tradition and raises critical discussions about home births for Black families, underscoring its potential as a preferred option in today’s climate.

Characters

Alicia

mother

Alicia Le’Von Boone is a cultural producer, visionary, community-centered planner, and strategist. As Head of Programming for Today at Apple, NYC, Alicia works with a team of cultural producers and non-profits to develop experiences that uplift and inspire everyday people to take their passions and creativity further.

As the former Associate Curator of Public Programs at the Brooklyn Museum, Alicia co-developed and sustained vibrant, fresh, thoughtful, and inclusive spaces, such as Target First Saturdays, where museum guests were invited and encouraged to engage with art, ideas, and each other.

Read more about her at alicialevonboone.com

Herman

Father

Hailing from Anse-A-Foleur, Haiti, Herman L. Jean-Noël is a visual philosopher, cinematographer, artist, father, husband, cyclist, tech nerd, and a lover of everything tropical. He looks to consistently expand his knowledge and creativity in the world of community-building, art, documentary and feature filmmaking, digital video, food, spirituality and technology. Herman has shot for film, television, and streaming platforms.

See more work at vimeo.com/neglakayproductions.

Shawna

Midwife

Shawna King is Alicia and Herman’s midwife. Her journey to becoming a midwife began while volunteering in a small village in Zimbabwe. She witnessed her first birth at the home of her host family. The strength of the birthing woman and her innate ability to birth her baby undisturbed amazed and intrigued her. She knew then that she wanted to be “with women” during this transformative time and ultimately realized midwifery was her calling. Shawna considers pregnancy and birth to be sacred life events. She has a Masters of Science in Midwifery from the State University of New York at Downstate. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter.

Read more about her at amaimidwifery.com.

Shawnee

Advocate

Shawnee Benton Gibson, LMSW / FDLC, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Spirit of A Woman Leadership Development Institute, an organization designed to educate, elevate and effect positive and sustainable transformation in the lives of individuals, groups, families and communities. She is also the Co-Founder of the ARIAH Foundation (The Advancement of Reproductive Innovation Through Artistry & Healing) which was created in memory of her eldest daughter, Shamony Makeba Gibson who passed away due to complications associated with giving birth. Shamony’s story and Shawnee’s reproductive activism are depicted in the award winning documentary “Aftershock” which addresses the black maternal health crisis in the United States and its origins.

For more information, visit theariahfoundation.org.

director’s statement

“Dear Soleila” aims not only to tell the story of one family's choice but also to inspire a broader conversation about the beauty and challenges of home births. It seeks to empower viewers by highlighting the strength and resilience required to reclaim traditional birthing practices, fostering a sense of community and support for those considering this path. It is a tribute to the power of informed choice, the strength of community, and the profound beauty of bringing life into the world in the most personal and meaningful way.

The Team