This article was written for publication
in the Association for Pre- and Perinatal Psychology Newsletter, March, 2004

To find pre- and perinatal influences symbolically illuminated to mass popular culture as early as the 1930's, one need only see Frank Capra's brilliant original production of, Lost Horizons. Casting Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyatt for the lead roles, in 1932, Capra produced what was then the most expensive cinematic venture of the time. Lost Horizons embodies
Capra's vision of 20th Century Utopia, "Shangri-la," the promise of a new life, in a new world. It is in the colorful journeys to and from Shangri-la, and the complex characters
swept up in the journying, consciously and unconsciously, that pre- and perinatal richness is revealed.
The opening of the film finds the protagonist, Robert (Bob) Conway spearheading the frenzied quest of throngs of Chinese to win a place
in an aircraft on its way to The New World. The qualitative essence of the sperm/egg journey is unmistakeable
upon reflection from later revelations in the film.
The planes ultimate few precious cargo are clueless as to the true nature of the journey on which they've embarked. Immediately each of the five characters aboard becomes representative of a unique perspective, or aspect of one common developing existence. They are out of control, and torn between the drive to create a comfort zone by making sense of their predicament and/or regain some control, or surrendering to the sense of life/death tension building with each passing hour.
From the point that their craft "falls" and is "planted" on the outer edges of Shangri-la an astounding aray of pre- and perinatal influences is played out, delightfully intertwined with philosophical reflections and comedy all together. Just a few of the pre- and perinatal considerations to look for are: Divine Exile, Divine Deceit, Precognition, The Shadow, Twin Conception and Twin Loss. These prenatal and birth stage terms and others are discussed in detail through a publication of Dr. William Emerson, Emerson Training Seminars. There are a host of archtypal and symbolic references throughout the film as well; no doubt, many I have missed. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to share detailed perspectives of this amazing film.