Movie spotlight
A Mother
Alejandro, the youngest of his recently deceased father's two sons, is brimming with anger, upset that his father and older brother have for so long committed his mother to a rural Colombian mental asylum. He's convinced that the place for his schizophrenic mother is at home with her loved ones, not in an institution. While on an unannounced visit, he kidnaps his mother to take her home with him once and for all – but Alejandro is soon overwhelmed by his mother's mental incapacities as they embark on a journey of love and commitment, of emotional and physical extremes.
Insights
Plot Summary
The film follows Lena, a German mother whose son has joined ISIS and is now fighting in Syria. Lena travels to Syria in a desperate attempt to find her son and bring him back home, confronting the complex realities of conflict and the deep bonds of motherhood.
Critical Reception
A Mother received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often highlighting its sensitive portrayal of a mother's desperate journey and the complex geopolitical issues it touches upon. Some praised its emotional depth, while others found the narrative somewhat underdeveloped.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its sensitive handling of a difficult subject matter.
Noted for a compelling central performance by Hilda Bester.
Some found the pacing and narrative focus to be uneven.
Google audience: Audience reception on Google is not widely available for this film.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for the Golden Bear at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.
Fun Fact
Director Anne Zohra Berrached was inspired to make the film after hearing news stories about German women and children who had traveled to join ISIS.
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