Italian
Journey through the “Gray Zone”: A Documentary That Relives a Mother’s Trauma
A powerful story born from personal experience
“Gray Zone”, the award-winning documentary from the Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival, brings to light the deeply personal yet universal experiences of Slovak director Daniela Meressa Rusnoková. Reliving the premature birth of her son, she invites us into a world where intense personal pain intersects with broader societal issues, revealing stories seldom told.
“I’d had two children before, so I knew how it ‘should’ go. Suddenly, he was fighting for his life, in agony. I was in absolute shock.”
Rusnoková’s shock and realization that countless others share her experience are at the heart of her documentary. With strength and vulnerability, she uncovers the oft-ignored trauma of premature births.
The “gray zone”: Where life begins in ambiguity
At 24 weeks, a fetus isn’t legally recognized as a human being—thus, the term “gray zone”. It’s a period of uncertainty, where medical professionals undoubtedly view their tiny patients as children, yet the law does not.
“They even have eyelashes. But when a child like that dies, families don’t know they can have a quiet moment with the baby or that they can perform their own rituals.”
Rusnoková poignantly highlights the absence of closure for many families. They are often thrust from hopeful anticipation into grief without the comfort of a proper goodbye, hindering their healing process.
Recognition and impact at the festival circuit
This powerful narrative was crowned in the First Lights section at the Czech festival, also winning accolades for best sound design and a Visegrad Award.
“I’m shocked by all this fame. I live in a flat with linoleum floors,” smiles Rusnoková.”
Despite her unexpected rise to fame, the film dives deep into the ongoing challenges of caring for a premature newborn, later living with a boy with disabilities. Rusnoková’s own haunting experiences, coupled with those of numerous others, are key to the narrative.
Giving voice to untold stories
Rusnoková teamed up with Zuzana Mojžišová to structure the documentary, eventually becoming the voice of the stories herself despite her preference for working behind the camera.
“It was retraumatizing because I came back to everything I wanted to forget. I played a dangerous game with myself.”
The process was as much a personal journey as it was a professional project. With therapy and sheer determination, she navigated triggers and relived painful memories to bring these experiences to the fore.
Reflecting on systemic flaws and the need for change
Slovakia, where 5.2% of children are born with disabilities or vulnerabilities, urgently needs to address the systemic flaws affecting these children and their families.
“In that situation, you need connection and you need trust. You don’t need ‘facts,’ but doctors focus on them because so often they don’t have the right tools to communicate with mothers.”
Rusnoková stresses the importance of keeping mothers by their babies’ sides, especially high-risk infants. Bonding and providing emotional support are crucial and can significantly impact a child’s development and the mother’s mental health.
The dream of inclusion and acceptance
Rusnoková envisions a future where societal structures welcome and support children with disabilities and their families, a stark contrast to the exclusionary practices of the past.
“During the communist period, people with vulnerabilities were hidden away. Unless we remove stairs from schools, we won’t have an equal society.”
Structural and cultural changes are imperative for genuine inclusion. The documentary doesn’t just showcase a mother’s story but resonates with a broader call for societal reform.
Conclusion of a profound narrative
“Gray Zone” transcends a simple documentary. It’s a call to arms, a testament to unrecognized strength, and an exposé of systemic inconsistencies. Rusnoková’s raw honesty and dedication shine through, urging viewers to consider the real-life implications of premature births and disabilities.
By highlighting such an intensely personal yet widely relevant issue, “Gray Zone” offers a poignant message of hope and resilience rooted in the harsh realities of life. To keep up with more such compelling narratives, stay tuned to our updates and share the journey with others.
