Through the powerful story of Morwesi Theledi’s daunting experience of giving birth during her seven years in prison, Born Behind Bars sheds light on the strength of the human spirit. The documentary, directed by sports journalist Romy Titus, was on show during the Toyota SU Wordfees on 10 and 11 October. Titus spoke with SMF News about the inspiration behind the documentary and how she hopes Theledi’s story will improve the lives of children born in the prison system.
“Morwesi is fun-loving, very carefree and thinks that prison has no impact on her child and that her child will not remember that,” said Romy Titus (Pictured above), sports journalist and director of Born Behind Bars, a documentary about Morwesi Theledi and her experience raising a baby in prison. The film was shown at the 2023 Toyota SU Woordfees on 10 and 11 August at the Neelsie Cinema. PHOTO/Supplied: Romy Titus
Q: What inspired you to create this documentary about Morwesi Theledi and her experience?
A: I work in prisons with a charity called Babies Behind Bars, where I assist women in taking care of their babies by providing basic needs like food, toys etc. I spend a lot of time in prisons across the country and I have encountered many powerful stories. I also think we tend to take our lives and freedom for granted.
Q: How did you come up with the name?
A: Well, I didn’t want it to be Babies Behind Bars because of my charity. The documentary explores the experiences of birth as a woman, as a mother, and as a criminal. Born is a play on words. The documentary is called Born Behind Bars because that is where both Morwesi finds herself and becomes the woman she is today after giving birth to her baby.
Q: How did you come across Morwesi and why did you specifically choose to highlight her story?
A: Morwesi is very vibrant and didn’t let her circumstances get to her. She came out of prison and paved a path for her life. She could have given up in prison but she didn’t do that. I think that is what I was attracted to. She used that hardship to get better and make changes. She’s not embarrassed by the seven years that she served or birthing her baby. It takes a very powerful person to own their wrongdoings.
Q: What changes do you hope this documentary will bring about?
A: Prisoners are people too, you know. I hope that people who are not in prison will think beyond themselves and be grateful for their lives.The stories of prisoners are so profound and need to be told. I also hope that this documentary will have an effect on the betterment of the lives of children born in prisons.
Born Behind Bars focuses on Morwesi Theledi (pictured above) who gave birth in prison during her ten-year sentence. The documentary created by Romy Titus, sports journalist and director, was shown at the 2023 Toyota SU Woordfees on 10 and 11 August at the Neelsie Cinema. PHOTO/Supplied: kykNET