Director’s Statement

I see BELLYACHE as a fairy tale exploring the sadness and pain associated with loss as well as the promise of hope. It was inspired by what was happening with some of my closest friends and family members during their decade long journey 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 brought to light how gender roles and social status are inherently tied to parenthood. So this story meant the world to me and I wanted to explore the complicated relationships we all have with love, ourselves, spirituality, and the idea of building a family – as well as the consequences going against social norms.

In the end, what I most want to communicate with BELLYACHE is that love can carry us through our most difficult and trying times. If we are so lucky to experience it, there’s nothing more intoxicating. Its power is truly magical… even after death.

— Van Ditthavong // writer + director.