A grieving witch escapes to a cabin alone to give birth. While secluded, she chronicles her story in a journal for her unborn child. But as the delivery nears, mysterious events and visions alter her perceptions of love and sacrifice.

I see BELLYACHE  as a fairy tale exploring the sadness and pain associated with loss + sacrifice through the eyes of a modern witch. It was inspired by what was happening with some of my closest friends and family members during their decade long journeys to conceive and adopt. It reminded me of my wife and our own struggle with infertility, its harsh reality and the stigma that comes with it. But most importantly – it’s about healing ourselves, believing in magick and processing the world in our own personal way even if most people won’t understand.

The main characters of the film help explore these complex issues about identity, love, grief and spirituality. The main message of the film is that women often face unnatural pressure from their families, friends, ethnic culture, and society to procreate. So the emotional burden of infertility and parenthood is high. And on the other hand, we also need to acknowledge that the ability to conceive doesn’t equate with the desire to do so. If a woman decides motherhood isn’t in her cards, she has that right. She also has the right to change her mind. In the end, it’s all about choice and how everyone is entitled to make them about our bodies, our minds, our emotions, our thoughts, and our life. BELLYACHE is a meditation on this belief.

– Van Ditthavong