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Past Film/Video | Visiting Filmmakers | Documentaries | Series & Festivals
Leslie Tai in person
Ohio Premiere
$8 members and adults 55 and over $10 general public $5 students
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The intimate and sensitive How to Have an American Baby traces the underground birth industry from Beijing to Los Angeles.
This creative documentary takes us behind the closed doors of the booming shadow economy catering to Chinese tourists who travel to the US to give birth in order to obtain US citizenship for their babies. Told through a series of intimately observed, interwoven storylines, we meet expectant mothers, maternity hotel operators, local doctors, and the birth tourism agents in China who fuel this industry. Inside bedrooms, delivery rooms, and private family meetings, the story of a hidden global economy emerges, depicting the aspirations and anxieties, fortunes and tragedies that befall the ordinary people caught up in its web of influence. In English and Mandarin with English subtitles. (117 mins., DCP)
Supported by Film/Video Studio residencies in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
See the entire Picture Lock lineup.
IMAGE CAPTIONHow to Have an American Baby, courtesy of the artist.
Picture Lock 2025 was co-organized by Film/Video Studio Director Jennifer Lange and Film/Video Studio Graduate Research Associate Allie Mickle.
FILM/VIDEO PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BYOhio Humanities
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BYRohauer Collection Foundation
WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BYGreater Columbus Arts CouncilThe Wexner FamilyInstitute of Museum and Library ServicesMellon FoundationEvery Page FoundationOhio Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the ArtsCampusParcNationwide FoundationLois S. and H. Roy Chope Fund of The Columbus FoundationThe Columbus FoundationAxium Packaging
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BYOhio History Fund/Ohio History ConnectionDavid Crane and Elizabeth DangLouise Lambert Braver
Past Film/Video
How to Have an American Baby
