| Aftershock | |
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 Promotional poster | |
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| Music by | Chanda Dancy |
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| Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Aftershock is a 2022 American documentary film directed and produced by Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis Lee. It follows Omari Maynard and Bruce McIntyre, whose partners died due to childbirth complications, which were preventable, as they fight for justice.
The film, executive produced by filmmaker Dawn Porter, premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2022. It was released on July 19, 2022, by ABC News Studios, Onyx Collective, and Hulu. It received critical acclaim.
Plot
Aftershock is a documentary that sheds light on the systemic failures of the U.S. maternal health system, which disproportionately endanger the lives of Black women. Centered on the tragic, preventable deaths of Shamony Gibson and Amber Rose Isaac during childbirth, the film follows their grieving partners, Omari Maynard and Bruce McIntyre, as they transform their pain into purpose. Through their activism and community-building with other surviving Black fathers, they rally for justice, expose the historical roots of neglect and exploitation in gynecology, and demand institutional reform. Seamlessly blending intimate personal stories with searing historical analysis, Aftershock uplifts the resilience of families and birth workers striving to create a more equitable and compassionate maternal health system, while calling attention to an urgent national crisis.
Release
Aftershock had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2022. ABC News, Onyx Collective, and Hulu shortly after acquired distribution rights to the film. It also screened at South by Southwest on March 13, 2022.
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 100% approval rating based on reviews from 28 critics, with an average rating of 8.10/10. The website's consensus reads: "Aftershock points a sobering spotlight on a public health crisis, maintaining a heartbreaking focus on its tragic human cost." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 87 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Critics' Choice Documentary Awards | Best Documentary Feature | Aftershock | Nominated | |
| Best Political Documentary | Nominated | ||||
| 2023 | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Documentary Feature | Tonya Lewis Lee, Paula Eiselt | Nominated | |
| Golden Trailer Awards | Best Documentary Poster | Aftershock | Won | ||
| Peabody Awards | Documentary | Aftershock | Won |
References
- "Aftershock". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (February 15, 2022). "Disney's Onyx Collective & ABC News Acquire Award-Winning Sundance Doc 'Aftershock'; Will Stream On Hulu In U.S." Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- Lang, Brent (December 9, 2021). "Sundance Unveils 2022 Feature Lineup, Including Films From Lena Dunham, Amy Poehler and Netflix's Kanye West Doc". Variety. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- "Aftershock". South by Southwest. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 2, 2022). "SXSW's Lineup For Return To In-Person Festival Includes Movies With Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage, Pete Davidson, Rose Byrne & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- "Aftershock (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
- "Aftershock". Metacritic.
- Davis, Clayton (October 17, 2022). "'Fire of Love' and 'Good Night Oppy' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Award Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- Zilko, Christian (November 13, 2022). "'Good Night Oppy,' 'Get Back' Dominate Critics Choice Documentary Awards (Complete Winners List)". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- "23rd Black Reel Award Nominees". Black Reel Awards. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- Complex, Valerie (December 15, 2022). "Black Reel Awards Nominations Announced For 23rd Annual Ceremony; 'The Woman King' And 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Lead With 14 Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- Pedersen, Erik (June 29, 2023). "Golden Trailer Awards: 'Cocaine Bear', 'Only Murders In The Building' & 'Oppenheimer' Among Top Winners – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- Prusakowski, Steven (June 30, 2023). "Winners Announced for The 2023 Golden Trailer Awards". AwardsRadar.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- Voyles, Blake (September 12, 2023). "83rd Peabody Award Winners". Retrieved September 12, 2023.