Piece Comment

Review of Nativity


For Mother's Day: an hour dedicated to "making life" instead of taking it. Conrad Bishop and Elizabeth Fuller have applied their talents as performers and writers to make a very original documentary, that is deceptively low-key, while holding a subtle intensity within. In the beginning; Conrad says, they thought they would make a documentary talking to many woman of all ages and races and cultures - but in the end, they didn't - they just talked to people they knew about giving birth to YOU. In fact, he breadth of the experience of their friends and friends of friends is large and deep - and travels pretty far over the map of something is "messy, hard work and a miracle and a gift." Spirituality is embraced without being too directive and excluding any faith or lack there of . In disclaimer I admit that this reviewer has not experienced childbirth herself - but having said that, I seem to know that thousands and thousands of listeners will walk straight into these stories with recognition. I feel I have lived parallel to this universe - but oddly as daughter, one-time wife, sister, neighbor, friend - I've been there all along. "A big boy now: I see my husband at 19 and fall in love again." In its subtlety, this hour is the exact opposite of a greeting card, but not without the decorative pleasures.