You are here:
Midwives

Midwives

2022

Director

Hnin Ei Hlaing

Runtime

89 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Hla and Nyo Nyo live in a country torn by conflict. Hla is a Buddhist and the owner of a makeshift medical clinic in western Myanmar, where the Rohingya (a Muslim minority community) are persecuted and denied basic rights. Nyo Nyo is a Muslim and an apprentice midwife who acts as an assistant and translator at the clinic. Her family has lived in the area for generations, yet they are still considered intruders. Encouraged and challenged by Hla, who risks her own safety daily by helping Muslim patients, Nyo Nyo is determined to become a steady health care provider for her community.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.6/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film does not feature LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisnormative identities. The narrative focus remains strictly on religious and ethnic intersectionality.

Gender Representation

Good

Women are portrayed as primary providers of stability and leadership in a fractured landscape. Hla and Nyo Nyo demonstrate significant professional autonomy and moral authority.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The documentary provides a profound look at the Rohingya minority. It centers the lived experiences of a Muslim community within a predominantly Buddhist landscape.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film explores complex themes of systemic oppression and religious conflict. It highlights a Buddhist-Muslim partnership as a disruption to state-sanctioned persecution.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The story focuses on medical care and ethnic resilience instead.

Strengths

  • Exceptional depiction of the Rohingya minority and their resilience.
  • Strong portrayal of female agency and leadership in medical spheres.
  • Effective subversion of religious binaries through cross-cultural solidarity.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities.
  • Absence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

AI Analysis

Midwives is a powerful piece of intersectional storytelling that deconstructs ethnic and religious binaries. By centering a cross-religious partnership between a Buddhist clinic owner and a Muslim apprentice, the film subverts systemic hierarchies and communal division. The documentary succeeds by placing marginalized identities, specifically the Rohingya, at the center of an agency-driven plot. It moves beyond simple inclusion to show how individual actors can challenge oppressive structures through professional dedication. While the film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ and disability-specific narratives, its focus on religious and ethnic resilience provides a sophisticated critique of systemic exclusion.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.