This film is part of Free

Title of error

See Help

Mother

A social worker teaches her Indian village neighbours about clean, modern childbirth

Documentary 1947 16 mins

Overview

A social worker is the face of modern childbirth in this United Nations-sponsored educational film. Realising she has a role to play in building a strong Indian society, she challenges the backward traditions of childbirth in her village and spreads knowledge about modern scientific practices. Released as India won independence, the film shows ‘the right way to be a mother’ while encouraging middle-class women to offer their services to the new nation.

The film shares many aesthetic and stylistic similarities with the public information films produced by the Government of India’s Film Division in the 1940s and 1950s, which promoted the Nehru government’s modernising agenda and sought to instruct Indians in how to be good citizens. Dr. Eleanor Newbigin (SOAS University of London)

Director

Paul Zils

Genres

Documentary

Country

India

Language

English

Subjects

Watch for free

Child Child

Documentary 1947 18 mins Silent

Advice for village families on raising children to become strong, healthy citizens

Watch for free

A Native Street in India A Native Street in India

Non-Fiction 1906 2 mins Silent

Early film of a crowded street scene in an unidentified Indian city. Can you identify it?

Watch for free

Sports dans l'armée des Indes Sports dans l'armée des Indes

Interest film 1910 5 mins Silent

A demonstration of sport and fitness by members of the Indian Army

Watch for free

India - Personal Film 1 - C. 1940 India - Personal Film 1 - C. 1940

Amateur film 1940 2 mins Silent

Family life in colonial India - baby Georgina with her British mother and Chinese amah, possibly in Calcutta

Watch for free

India: Hunting with Elephants India: Hunting with Elephants

Non-Fiction 1930 10 mins

On the trail of big game in this extraordinary home movie shot by famous hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett

Watch for free

India India

Amateur film 1929 14 mins Silent

Amateur film of the passage to India - complete with guest appearance by Gandhi

Watch for free

New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine

Short documentary 2025 4 mins

Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.

Watch for free

Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A

Inside Film 2025 30 mins

The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.