Since the mid-90′s, our newest minority consists of the tiniest humans, born weighing less than two pounds. This award-winning 43 minute film describes the psycho-social impact of such a birth upon the family unit. We seek to explore their world and answer these questions: Who are they? Why does this happen? What challenges do they face after long term hospitalization? Will these children be a burden on society?
Watch the trailer:
This is a highly personal film, and it begs as many questions as it answers. It is emotional. It is intimate. Its style is human revelation, told subjectively rather than objectively, by parents and the medical experts who care for these newborns. It is more a diary than an essay, more a drama than investigative journalism. It is not about ‘litter births’, or babies from ‘druggie’ moms, or babies born with life-threatening anomalies. It’s about the average person who does everything right and still begets a severely premature child. Overall, stories of fear, pain and sacrifice give over to love, joy and hope.
Directed by Candy Campbell (read more about Candy), the fine cut received a Finalist award in the category of Children’s Health from the prestigious International Medical Media Awards, “The Freddies” in 2003.
Available now in closed-captioned video streaming, and dvd for only $19.95.
Special note:
A portion of all profits will go to our favorite baby-friendly charity,
the March of Dimes.
ALSO~ Check out the BLOG, The Preemie Post, featuring info and podcasts especially for families and friends who have been through the roller-coaster of emotions that is the NICU; with parents,neonatologists and other medical professionals discussing the latest trends in neonatal care.
Ellen Tauscher, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs (then US Representative from CA 10th District whose prematurely born daughter was cared for by Candy in the NICU): “I am forever grateful to the many medical professionals and technicians who provided state of the art care and heartfelt support to us in Katherine’s earliest days and weeks… Congratulations of your film.”
John Rothmann, KGO Talk Radio host interviewed nurse/filmmaker/actress Candy Campbell on his October 27, 2002 show and referred to “Micropremature Babies: How Low Can You Go?” as a “stunning and important work.”
Advances In Neonatal Care states, “… an excellent source for parents to find hope in shared experiences. By watching this film, parents new to dealing with prematurity could encounter a little less fear in the whirlwind of decisions and procedures. Hearing that at least one family struggled to bond through the tangle of wires and tubes, or another mother suffered by not being able to hold the child separated from her womb too soon, or a couple felt confusion arriving home with no child in arms, new parents could anticipate and perhaps better weather the journey of assisting their premature infants to their best possible future.”
Neonatal Network writes, “ This touching video…is essential for any health care provider who is new to the field of neonatology.“
Craig Issod, Easter Seals Bay Area , VP External Affairs writes: “On behalf of the thousands of people who receive Easter Seals services, thank you for your great work on “Micropremature Babies: How Low Can You Go?” You have done a great service by telling stories of hope and promise. Thank you again for your efforts.”
Hester Schell, author of Casting Revealed, says: “Candy brings deep integrity and commitment to everything she does. Her film, HOW LOW CAN YOU GO, about micropremature births, is a must see for anyone interested in life choices, anyone needing solace who has been through this experience.”
Jon McNeff, Senior Pastor of NorthCreek Church (Walnut Creek, CA) writes:
“….this film has the potential to bring encouragement and hope to parents who experience a premature birth as well as give them a reliable sense of what is happening. It is also an incredible visual “thank you ” to the medical professionals who work tirelessly to bring the fruits of research and technology together to work for the preservation of these lives. I was deeply moved to see the God given miracle of birth portrayed in such a thoughtful and gentle way. Each of the little ones you featured is much more than ‘potential life.’ Thank you so much for giving them a voice.”
Carol Geiser, BSN, RN, Maternal-Child Educator, says, “This film is very sensitive to the premature baby’s side of the story, as well as what the parents go through in the weeks and months after birth, watching their little babies go through so much just to survive. Mothers considering assisted fertilization techniques, with the inherent risks of multiple gestation, should watch this film prior to conception techniques to encourage more empathetic decisions regarding the risks of premature delivery when carrying multiples.”
Don Schwartz, Cinesource Magazine writes,“The message is clear: loving care makes the biggest difference which, of course, applies to all children. Such care was also evident in making the film.”
Michael Brown, award-winning Filmmaker & Director, says, “What’s amazing to me, is the details are already in place- perfectly formed hands – wow! Very well done. Kudos!”
$1 of the sale of every film will go to the March of Dimes in grateful acknowledgment their work with families of premature babies.
Candy Campbell is pleased to be a spokesperson for the
DP: Steve Bolter has a degree in photography and many years experience as a freelance videographer and photographer for corporate and nonprofit groups worldwide doing promotional, educational and commercial shoots. He works as a freelance video editor when he isn’t globetrotting or rock climbing with his wife, Cindy, and their two children.
Final Editor: Jonathan Parra has been editing film and video professionally the past ten years. He recorded sound for two years prior to making the switch to picture editing. He is San Francisco’s Film Arts Foundation Avid technician and tutor. His editing credits span a range of projects from narratives, documentaries, shorts, features, independents, and corporate projects. He also Directs and is currently working on a music video for an emerging rock group. He has a degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University.
Titles: Greg Solis, author and editor extraordinaire. Check out his website, you sci-fi fans: http://www.hadrianpublishing.com
Sound Editor/Composer: Patrick Bowsher, composer, sound designer,and guitarist, has degrees in Music Composition, Performance and Audio Engineering.
He works as composer and sound designer at Film Arts Foundation in San Francisco. He has composed, orchestrated and performed scores for film, TV and theatrical venues worldwide.
