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non-stop work has resulted in an unexpected phenomenon: the flourishing of 24-hour daycare centers. Dee’s Tots Daycare, a home-based center in a New York suburb, has become a lifeline for families in the community. Through intimate stories of two working mothers and their beloved caregiver, Nunu, we see how this daycare patches up the gaping holes in a threadbare social safety net and provides a personal response to an urgent problem. s resulted in an unexpected phenomenon: the flourishing of 24-hour daycare centers. Dee’s Tots Daycare, a home-based center in a New York suburb, has become a lifeline for families in the community. Through intimate stories of two working mothers and their beloved caregiver, Nunu, we see how this daycare patches up the gaping holes in a threadbare social safety net and provides a personal response to an urgent problem. 

Synopsis

Across the US, even before the Covid-19 pandemic, people have been working longer hours across multiple jobs just to pay the rent. This reality of non-stop work has resulted in an unexpected phenomenon: the flourishing of 24-hour daycare centers. Dee’s Tots Daycare, a home-based center in a New York suburb, has become a lifeline for families in the community. Through intimate stories of two working mothers and their beloved caregiver, Nunu, we see how this daycare patches up the gaping holes in a threadbare social safety net and provides a personal response to an urgent problem. Uncover the close bonds forged between parents, children and caregivers. Director Loira Limbal, herself a single parent who made the film while holding down a full-time job, captures a quietly damning portrait of a merciless economy’s effect on working-class mothers and turns a much-needed spotlight on these unsung heroes. 

This film offers subtitles in English and Closed Captioning. You can select these options by clicking the ‘CC’ button in the bottom right of the player.

 Watch at your own pace anytime between Feb 2-Feb 8, 2021, or join us and watch-along before the live Opening Night Q&A

February 3, 2021
5:45pm (PST) / 8:45pm (EST) : Press play and begin watching the film.
6:55pm (PST) / 9:55pm (PST): Grab a snack and refill your beverage
7pm (PST) / 10pm (EST) : Join us for the live Q&A on Zoom (RSVP required.)

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Credits

Loira Limbal

Director

Loira Limbal is an Afro-Dominican filmmaker and DJ interested in the creation of art that is nuanced and revelatory for communities of color. She is the Senior Vice President of Programs at Firelight Media. Limbal’s current film, THROUGH THE NIGHT, is a feature documentary about a 24 hour daycare center. THROUGH THE NIGHT is a New York Times Critics’ Pick and was selected for a world premiere at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. Her first film, ESTILO HIP HOP, was a co-production of ITVS and aired on PBS in 2009. Additionally, she co-produces and helms the popular Brooklyn monthly #APartyCalledRosiePerez. Limbal received a B.A. in History from Brown University and is a graduate of the Third World Newsreel's Film and Video Production Training Program. She is a Sundance Institute Fellow, a DOC NYC Documentary New Leader, and a former Ford Foundation JustFilms/Rockwood Fellow. She lives in the Bronx with her two children.