Calling on the powers of dark comedy, absurdist performance, and queer camp, an angry heartbroken filmmaker pulls back the curtain on reproductive injustice in our post-Roe world by exploring the world’s most common pregnancy complication: miscarriage.
ADVENTURES IN MISCARRIAGE is a cinematic reimagining of filmmaker Cheryl Furjanic’s pregnancy loss, a meditation on miscarriage mourning, a creative exploration of the way people who miscarry are treated, and a call to action to improve care for anyone capable of gestating a fetus in their uterus. Furjanic explores pregnancy loss from many angles: the cause of profound grief, its fascinating history, the culture of shame and silence surrounding it, racism in reproductive medicine, mental health impacts of pregnancy loss, emerging training offered to medical practitioners to promote better miscarriage care, devastating effects that Roe v. Wade’s appeal has had, and more. ADVENTURES educates, enrages, entertains, and invites people along on a unique and urgent adventure of revelation and discovery.
One in four pregnancies ends in loss. But despite this startling rate, most people who experience miscarriage never talk much about it…and neither do our family, friends, or doctors. Someone you know has had a miscarriage and they weren’t prepared for it. Most documentaries released about miscarriage are gentle, delicate, and careful. This also feels like the “appropriate” way that American society wants us to grieve pregnancy loss. My miscarriage experience was certainly traumatic and heartbreaking, but my grief – and my film – are also raucous and funny, clumsy and surprising, angry and queer. Camp is the LGBTQ sensibility that examines serious and often painful experiences through humor and aesthetic extravagance. Camp has long been a vital form of queer survival and resistance – and is a central storytelling tool in this film. Our genre-bending documentary uses elements like over-the-top fantasy sequences, irreverent reenactments, historical send-ups, intimate interviews, larger-than-life science, riveting production design, and deadpan voiceover to reveal new ways of looking at a medical event that has occurred for as long as humans have existed.
ADVENTURES appeals to anyone interested in urgent conversations around reproductive rights and resonates with audiences grappling with many kinds of grief while navigating the landscapes of their own losses. We use humor and absurdity to entice audiences to learn more about this “uncomfortable” topic, no matter their personal experience. While this film is certainly for “The Miscarriage Club” members, it also resonates with the massive ecosystem of people affected by pregnancy loss – folks trying to conceive, their partners, parents, siblings, friends, employers, medical professionals, and many others. We’re planning for a wide release paired with a strategic impact & outreach campaign. Part of this project’s work is to challenge and improve how doctors, hospitals, OB/GYNS, insurance companies, policymakers, employers, and more – treat people who experience miscarriage.
Cheryl Furjanic (Director/Producer) is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose documentary and fiction films have screened at 150+ festivals worldwide and on television. Her most recent work is the New York Times Op-Docs film STONEWALL: THE MAKING OF A MONUMENT (2019). Her feature documentary BACK ON BOARD: GREG LOUGANIS was broadcast on HBO and nominated for an Emmy Award and Producers Guild of America award in 2016. Her feature documentary SYNC OR SWIM (2008) screened at the Slamdance Film Festival and MoMA’s Documentary Fortnight. Early short films include the LGBTQ film festival hit BAR TALK (2002) a comedy fiction film “in Lesbian with English subtitles.” Though she has worked in many different filmmaking genres, there is a through-line in all of her work of heart, humor, and hope in the face of uncertainty. Cheryl is a member of “The Miscarriage Club,” a closet juggler, a karaoke lover, and an award-winning Halloween costume maker.
Rachel Lears (Executive Producer) is a documentary director, producer, and cinematographer based in Brooklyn, NY. Rachel’s most recent feature documentaries are, KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE (Netflix) and TO THE END (Roadside Attractions / Hulu). Rachel is a three-time member of “The Miscarriage Club.” She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and her kiddo.
Stephanie Schiavenato (Producer) is a Latina filmmaker, doula, and anthropologist. She produced and directed LANDFALL (2018), a short documentary about the lingering effects of trauma from migration. She is currently producing and directing MOTHER CAKE, a documentary exploring the relationship between women and their placentas. Stephanie is one of the most experienced doulas in NYC (and is helping to doula this movie out of Cheryl). Her PhD dissertation research focused on how families cope with pregnancy loss. She regularly gives presentations about fetal loss and has written extensively about the subject. Twelve years ago, Stephanie was pregnant and had a premature delivery of twin girls who died shortly after being born.
Nina Krstic (Consulting Producer) is a director and producer. Her credits include THE LAST DANCE, 99%: THE OCCUPY WALL STREET COLLABORATIVE FILM, and O.J. MADE IN AMERICA, which received an Academy Award for best documentary feature. Nina is a member of “The Miscarriage Club.” She lives in New York with her partner and her daughter.
J (JT) Tinneny (Co-Producer) is a queer filmmaker based in Brooklyn, on the unceded indigenous lands of the Lenape. JT brings with them years of experience working at Human Rights Watch Film Festival, Jigsaw Productions, and The Gotham. Recent production credits include LOWNDES COUNTY AND THE ROAD TO BLACK POWER and QUEER FUTURES.
Having a miscarriage is like being in a “club” you wish you weren’t a member of.
Let’s hear from some of our members!
- Lily Allen, Singer
- Kirstie Alley, Actress
- Tori Amos, Singer
- Eva Amurri, Actress
- Pamela Anderson, Actress
- Josephine Baker, Dancer/Singer/Actress
- Hilaria Baldwin, Public Figure
- Elizabeth Banks, Actress
- Beyoncé, Global Superstar
- Victoria Beckham, Singer/Designer
- Laura Benanti, Actress/Singer
- Valerie Bertinelli, Actress
- Ankita Bhargava, Actress
- Brandi Boyd, TV Personality
- Christie Brinkley, Model
- Julia Bueno, Author/Psychotherapist
- Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States
- Elisabetta Canalis, Actress
- Mariah Carey, Singer
- Nell Carter, Actress
- Priscilla Chan, Philanthropist / Former Pediatrician
- Joan Chen, Actress/Director
- Cher, CHER!!!!
- Courtney Cox, Actress
- Joan Crawford, Actress
- Celine Dion, Singer
- Dylan Dryer, Meteorologist
- Tammy Duckworth, Senator (Democrat-Illinois)
- Liz Feldman, TV Writer/Creator
- Bethany Frankel, Entrepreneur/TV Personality
- Brenda Fricker, Actress
- Deborra-Lee Furness, Actress/Producer
- Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Actress
- Sara Gaynes Levy, Writer
- Golnesa Gharachedaghim TV Personality
- Kathy Lee Gifford, TV Host
- Jacinda Gugliemino, TV Personality (Australia)
- Morgan Goodwin, Athlete
- Halsey, Singer
- Linda Hamilton, Actress
- Teri Hatcher, Actress
- Audrey Hepburn, Actress
- Claire Holt, Actress
- Whitney Houston, Singer
- Kelly Hutchinson, TV Writer
- Jessie J, Singer
- Shawn Johnson, Olympic Athlete
- Nancy Kerrigan, Olympic Athlete
- Frida Kahlo, Artist
- Laura Kenny, Olympic Athlete
- Nicole Kidman, Actress
- Jamie King, Actress
- Gladys Knight, Singer
- Jana Kramer, Singer/Actress
- Lucy Lawless, Actress
- Jennifer Lawrence, Actress
- Jeanette “The Black Widow” Lee, Professional Pool Player
- Janet Leigh, Actress
- Vivien Leigh, Actress
- Ariel Levy, Writer
- Lisa Ling. Journalist
- Lindsay Lohan, Actress
- Sophia Loren, Actress
- Courtney Love, Singer
- Loni Love, Comedian/Actress
- Katie Lowes, actress
- Evelyn Lozada, TV Personality
- Susan Lucci, Actress
- Melanie Lynskey, Actress
- Kate Mara, Actress
- Meghan Markle, Duchess & former Actress
- Amy Mass, TV Writer/Producer
- Teddi Mellencamp, TV Personality
- Erica Mena, TV Personality
- Meghan McCain, TV Personality
- Liza Minelli, Liza with a Z
- Beverly Mitchell, Actress/Singer
- Shay Mitchell, Actress
- Lil’ Mo, Singer
- Marilyn Monroe, Actress
- Demi Moore, Actress
- Mary Tyler Moore, Actress
- Natalie Morales, Journalist
- Renee Morrison, Actress
- Alanis Morrissette, Singer
- Sinead O’Connor, Singer
- Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States
- Isabelle Oderberg, Author
- Jackie Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady of the United States
- Yoko Ono, Artist
- Gwyneth Paltrow, Actress
- Amanda Palmer, Singer
- Christina Perri, Singer
- Pink, Singer
- Angelina Pivarnick, TV Personality
- Sylvia Plath, Poet/Writer
- Suzanne Pleshette, Actress
- Tiffany “New York” Pollard, TV Personality
- Whitney Port, TV Personality
- Jane Pratt, Magazine Editor / Radio Host
- Lisa Marie Presley, Singer
- Giuliana Rancic, TV Personality
- Melissa Rauch, Actresss
- Joan Rivers, Comedian
- Missy Robertson, TV Personality
- Lela Rochon, Actress
- Gabrielle Ruiz, Actress
- Melissa Rycroft, TV Personality
- Hillary Scott, Singer
- Laura Seftel, Author
- Jackie Seiden, Actress
- Katey Sagal, Actress
- Jean Seberg, Actress
- Jane Seymour, Actress
- Brooke Shields, Actress
- Lynn Shelton, Filmmaker
- Hope Solo, Olympic Athlete
- Britney Spears, Pop Star
- Sharon Stone, Actress
- Amanda Tapping, Actress
- Elizabeth Taylor, Actress
- Chrissy Teigen, Cookbook Author / TV Personality
- Emma Thompson, Actress
- Jade Roper Tolbert, TV Personality
- Carrie Underwood, Singer
- Gabrielle Union, Actress
- Kimberly Van Der Beek, Actress/Producer
- Alicia Vikander, Actress
- Mireya Villerreal, Journalist
- Sara Walsh, Sports Journalist
- Barbara Walters, Journalist / TV Personality
- Amy Webb, Writer / Futurist
- Vanna White, TV Personality
- Porsha Williams, TV Personality
- Wendy Williams, TV Personality / Radio Host
- Oprah Winfrey, Mega Mogul
- Ali Wong, Comedian
- Jane Wyman, Actress
- Jessica Zucker, Author/Psychologist
Join the adventure! Help us make this film!
ADVENTURES IN MISCARRIAGE is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Independent Documentary (CID), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Center for Independent Documentary is dedicated to collaborating with independent filmmakers, offering assistance and support in bringing their films to completion. All donations made to CID on behalf of ADVENTURES IN MISCARRIAGE are tax-deductible. https://www.documentaries.org/adventures-in-miscarriage
For Pitch Deck, Fundraising Trailer, Donor Opportunities, etc.
THIS FILM IS BEING MADE WITH SUPPORT FROM:
Other projects
Stonewall: The Making of a Monument
(Documentary short, 18 minutes, 2019)
Ever since the 1969 riots on the streets outside New York City’s Stonewall Inn, LGBTQ communities have gathered there to express their joy, their anger, their pain and their power. This film explores what more than half a century of LGBTQ history in the United States looks like when viewed through just a few blocks in New York City’s Greenwich Village. A New York Times Op-Docs film.
Back on Board: Greg Louganis
(Documentary feature, 86 minutes, 2015)
Back on Board: Greg Louganis is an intimate portrait of the public triumphs and private struggles of trailblazing openly gay athlete Greg Louganis. A refreshingly candid documentary about this four-time Olympic champion, Back on Board follows Louganis for three years as he struggles with financial security and reunites with the sport he once dominated but did not feel welcome in. The threat of losing his house during the recent financial crisis forces Louganis to re-evaluate the choices, relationships, and missed opportunities of his career.