Aftershock

2022

1h 26m

Documentary

List

100%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

56%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Following the deaths of their partners due to preventable childbirth complications and medical negligence, two bereaved fathers galvanize activists, birth-workers and physicians to reckon with one of the most pressing yet unspoken American crises of our time -- the US maternal health crisis.

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Critics Consensus

Aftershock points a sobering spotlight on a public health crisis, maintaining a heartbreaking focus on its tragic human cost.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

I feel like I lost two little sisters in this film.

Jul 22, 2022

Full Review

Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

Eiselt and Lee cover how these families — and in particular the fathers left behind by their partners’ passing — are still coping with unexpected loss.

Jul 22, 2022

Full Review

Beandrea July

New York Times

“Aftershock” is a moving ode to Black families in a society where too many forces work to tear them apart.

Jul 19, 2022

Full Review

Dan Schindel

Hyperallergic

"Aftershock" is a confrontation, a reminder that “Black Lives Matter” isn’t just a rallying cry against overt, visible brutality like what’s performed by the police.

Nov 10, 2022

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

Aftershock is a disturbing but necessary documentary to watch for a reality check about how systemic racism in the U.S. health care system results in Black women dying shortly after childbirth at disproportionately higher rates than women of other races.

Sep 20, 2022

Full Review

Peter Canavese

Celluloid Dreams

An absolutely vital and timely documentary about the obscene maternal mortality rate in America and the systemic racism that pervades its healthcare system.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 11, 2022

Full Review

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Rochelle T

A moving and distressing portrait of the Black maternal healthcare crisis in our country. I'm grateful to the families who shared their stories and hope millions of people watch. I wish this family would become required viewing in medical schools and for all hospital staff.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

Full Review

Ragengauge

Typical documentary. Funny how they don't seem to bring in the Doctor who treated her and ask why he didn't ask why his pt was experience SOB post op. A PE is a fairly common complication of any surgery, and should've been thought about. Furthermore, I see no use of interviews with doctors bothering to ask what a PE is, or how treatment is handled? These people know nothing about medical care. All they know is the result and grief. They ask why the people who responded asked repeatedly if she was on drugs? This is very common, because with everything happening, wouldn't you prefer they asked one more time, just to make sure nothing was missed? Besides, I cannot tell you how many times on a fourth or fifth ask a new item shows up on the list. This is not racist. This is done with any pt. The family is grieving, and that's sad, but if you want to make a movie talking about the injustice, how can you do so without consulting professionals in the field for something as simple as "Why were these procedures done?" And reviewers give this 100%? It's a poorly researched documentary. What the hell are they smoking?

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/30/22

Full Review

Dan C

Outstanding. Remarkably done documentary. Must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/22

Full Review

Audience Member

The greatest 01 hour: and 26 minutes of real footage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am 100% sober and clean!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Obviously none of the other reviewers even watched this film. Important topic about how systemic racism affects childbirth.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a good film!! It's important too!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Paula Eiselt

Director

Tonya Lewis Lee

Director

Paula Eiselt

Producer

Tonya Lewis Lee

Producer

Tegan Acton

Executive Producer

Geralyn White Dreyfous

Executive Producer

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Synopsis

Following the deaths of their partners due to preventable childbirth complications and medical negligence, two bereaved fathers galvanize activists, birth-workers and physicians to reckon with one of the most pressing yet unspoken American crises of our time -- the US maternal health crisis.

Director: Paula Eiselt, Tonya Lewis Lee
Producer: Paula Eiselt, Tonya Lewis Lee
Production Co: Impact Partners, A Malka Film, Madstone Company Inc
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 19, 2022
Runtime: 1h 26m

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