Note: this product is for the PAL version of Birth Without Violence. This is for use primarily in the Europe.

If you are looking for the NTSC version, for use in the U.S.A., please click here.

GREEN APPLE AWARD FOR BIRTH WITHOUT VIOLENCE!

Green Lifestyle Film Festival Mar 13-15 2009 / Los Angeles, CA

Our DVD Birth Without Violence by Frederick Leboyer received the Green Apple Award at the Green Lifestyle Film Festival in March! New Earth Records founders Bhikkhu & Waduda attended the festival to accept the award. The weekend opened with a "Green Carpet" reception Friday afternoon, followed by the official Opening Ceremonies where each of the films and filmmakers were introduced. Birth Without Violence enjoyed a warm and appreciative reception at its Saturday evening screening from an audience ranging from 4 yr-olds to 80 yr-olds. The weekend closed with a black-tie Gala Awards Dinner & Ceremony on Sunday, featuring various keynote speakers and musicians as well as an elaborate vegan Indonesian feast. Bhikkhu & Waduda were thrilled to bring home the Green Apple Award on behalf of Frederick Leboyer, who is now over 90 years old and resides in Paris and Switzerland while still conducting workshops and seminars. Overall, the event brought together international artists and visionaries who share our core values, supporting a sustainable lifestyle and healing our planet. Our congratulations to all the filmmakers!

Birth Without Violence is comprised of three unique films on one DVD. The first film, "Birth Without Violence", takes a revolutionary look at the way we welcome our children into the world. "Shantala: Loving Hands", the second film on the DVD, examines traditional East Indian massage derived from Ayurveda, emphasizing the importance of touch for the newborn. Finally, in the third film, "The Art of Breathing", Savitry Nayar Shivalingapa teaches the traditional carnatic chanting connected to Qi Gong and Yoga Prana, accompanied by the tampoura.

Reviews:

"Leboyer is that rare combination of scientist, mystic, and poet"

"Amazing... Birth Without Violence is a sensual experience, visually and verbally, as its poetic prose blends with the pictures like the unfolding of a happy dream... The impact is strong, [Leboyer's] appeal inviting."

"These films by pioneering physician, poet, and philosopher Frederick Leboyer are timeless and perhaps more valuable today for the childbearing public, health professional, or anyone interested in this topic, than when they were first released. These films take you into the heart of the mystery of what it means to be born, and how fully conscious and exquisitely sensitive babies are from the start. Leboyer pays homage to both ancient feminine wisdom and the crucial law of the mother-infant relationship in shaping our life and culture. "

"Here is a short film, in black and white, with no soundtrack other than the sounds of the new baby and his (ideal) birthing environment by French physician and philosopher Frederick Leboyer. Filmed in 1975, it is an incredibly intimate portrait of birth. One almost feels, sees and senses from the newborn's point of view, as he is gently and thoughtfully welcomed into the world. This welcoming is accomplished with a minimum of tears and shocks to the system, as soft lighting, massaging and comforting hands, and not a single iota of urgency accompanies his welcome. This film is not dated, nor has its message expired (unfortunately). It is beautiful, poetic, inspirational and, I feel, a must see for anyone approaching or planning for an upcoming birth. (I'm not in this position and I still loved the film!) Presented by New Earth Records with two other films by Dr. Leboyer, 'Shantala: Loving Hands' (emphasizing the importance of touch to the newborn) and 'The Art of Breathing.' A beautiful film.

This is a film that showcases the decades-long work of the great French/Swiss doctor Frederick Leboyer. The film makers Frederick Leboyer and Pierre Marie Goulet are masters at using film and music to show the sacredness and reverence they feel for Life. This beautiful, flowing film in 3 parts takes us on an odyssey of sacred conception to sacred incubation to an even more hallowed and blessed birthing experience and then into infancy. This film is magnificent ! It offers a prototype and model for our own incarnation on Planet Earth that is unparralled. I often hear people say that there is no formal training for parenthood, and I have often replied that those who would like to learn ought to explore the work of Frederick Leboyer. Well, now, no one has the excuse that Mr Leboyer's work is not accessible to those living outside of Switzerland or France. Be prepared to see your own life from a totally different perspective once you watch this film. You will wish to watch it over and over and over again. Especially if you are in doubt as to the reverence of your own life."

Dorit
Founder of the Green Lifestyle Film Festival
Los Angeles CA

Frederick Leboyer’s 1970s classic Birth Without Violence, the exquisite film that helped inspire a generation of birth reformers, has been re-released. Shot in black-and-white and almost entirely in silence, the 20-minute film of a live birth captures Leboyer demonstrating two of his revolutionary practices: placing the infant on the mother’s chest immediately after birth, and waiting to cut the umbilical cord until it has stopped pulsing. The depth of Leboyer’s presence, patience, and tenderness is palpable, and has a profoundly calming effect on the child. The fact that I was surprised by the attention placed on the physician holding the infant, not the mother, shows just how far we’ve come. Also included on the DVD are two other of Leboyer’s films from the same era: Shantala: Loving Hands, which shows a woman performing traditional Indian baby massage; and The Art of Breathing, which depicts how breathing techniques from Indian Carnatic chanting can be used to prepare for birth.

Mothering Magazine