Isa Fraga-Abaza’s Birth Controlled is a bold and provocative 2D experimental animation that challenges societal norms and sparks intense introspection. Framed as a reality game show, the narrative follows a pregnant woman whose every decision—whether to continue her pregnancy or select her child’s gender—is dictated by votes from an elite audience. This surreal premise explores the contentious issues of commodifying, publicizing, and even gamifying human bodies.
The film invites viewers to question autonomy, especially regarding women’s rights over their own bodies. Through its layered storytelling, Birth Controlled deftly critiques how societal and media dynamics can reduce deeply personal choices to entertainment fodder.
Visually, the animation captivates with its eclectic mix of styles, materials, and perspectives. The striking balance between unsettling, grotesque elements and a compelling aesthetic draws the audience deeper into the narrative. The film’s high level of artistic and conceptual execution makes it an avant-garde piece that profoundly examines the value and agency of the human body. Fraga-Abaza has crafted a daring work that is as unsettling as it is thought-provoking.