How to Have an American Baby is a kaleidoscopic voyage into the once-booming shadow economy catering to Chinese tourists who travel to the U.S. on “birthing vacations” in order to obtain American citizenship for their babies.
The film’s Director/Producer/Cinematographer/Editor Leslie Tai will be in conversation with ChinaFile Editor-in-Chief Susan Jakes following the screening.
Tracing the underground birth tourism industry from Beijing to Los Angeles, How to Have an American Baby weaves together vignettes and deeply private moments. Inside bedrooms, delivery rooms, and family meetings, the story of a hidden global economy emerges—depicting the aspirations and anxieties, fortunes and tragedies that befall the ordinary people caught in the web of its influence. Told through a series of intimately observed, interwoven storylines, we meet expectant mothers, maternity hotel operators and operator wannabes, local doctors and civic officials, birth tourism agents in China, and the nannies, cooks, and chauffeurs who fuel this industry.
ChinaFile Presents: ‘How to Have an American Baby,’ a Film Screening and Discussion
Host
Wed, Jun 25, 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM (EDT)
To be shared on approval (New York)
50 attendees
How to Have an American Baby is a kaleidoscopic voyage into the once-booming shadow economy catering to Chinese tourists who travel to the U.S. on “birthing vacations” in order to obtain American citizenship for their babies.
The film’s Director/Producer/Cinematographer/Editor Leslie Tai will be in conversation with ChinaFile Editor-in-Chief Susan Jakes following the screening.
Tracing the underground birth tourism industry from Beijing to Los Angeles, How to Have an American Baby weaves together vignettes and deeply private moments. Inside bedrooms, delivery rooms, and family meetings, the story of a hidden global economy emerges—depicting the aspirations and anxieties, fortunes and tragedies that befall the ordinary people caught in the web of its influence. Told through a series of intimately observed, interwoven storylines, we meet expectant mothers, maternity hotel operators and operator wannabes, local doctors and civic officials, birth tourism agents in China, and the nannies, cooks, and chauffeurs who fuel this industry.