Martha Is in August (2020) is a lyrical and intimate documentary by Angelina Podorozhnaya that explores grief, resilience, and the quiet emotional landscapes of loss.
“I will become a mother,” the heroine of the film once dreamed of saying these words for the second time. However, she tragically lost her daughter late in pregnancy. In the aftermath of this devastating event, Anastasia chooses to share her story. The film follows her journey through grief, survival, and gradual healing, while also reflecting on her eldest son David, who faced serious complications at birth.
Through an observational and deeply personal approach, the documentary explores themes of perinatal loss, motherhood, and emotional endurance. It captures the fragile balance between pain and continuation of life, revealing the quiet strength required to move forward after tragedy.
The film was selected for the Environment competition program at the 14th International Documentary Film Festival ArtDocFest (2020–2021), and was featured in a special charitable screening for parents who experienced perinatal loss, organized by the “Light in Hands” Foundation.