Couple's Fertility Retreat Turns Into Sacrificial Rite in 'Birth'

Estonian director Oskar Lehemaa is set to release his first English-language body horror film, titled 'Birth.' The narrative centers on a couple, Carl and Emma, who, after years of struggling to conceive, turn to a secluded fertility retreat as a final option before pursuing IVF.

The retreat, situated in the evocative Estonian forest, begins with ancient folk rituals that soon take a sinister turn. Carl and Emma find themselves ensnared in a sacrificial rite, with nature's pulsating life serving as a backdrop for the unfolding horror. Lehemaa drew inspiration from the Estonian forest, seeing it as an ideal setting for a story about pregnancy and folk horror.

Produced by Stellar Film with support from the Tallifornia Film Fund, 'Birth' promises intense imagery and a unique blend of tightly composed frames with a more fluid camera style. Lehemaa aims to explore the deeply ingrained gender expectations surrounding parenthood, questioning societal norms through the film's narrative. While inspired by Estonian folklore, the film will introduce a mysterious new cult unique to its story, heightening the intrigue for global audiences.

Stellar Film is actively pursuing collaborations with producers in Scandinavia and Ireland, intending to position 'Birth' as a significant European genre film. The goal is for the movie to travel from prestigious festivals to worldwide distribution, leaving a lasting impression with its uncompromising artistic vision and elevated genre cinema.