107 Mothers
Lesya has committed a crime of passion which brings her a seven-year sentence in one of Odesa’s women’s correctional facilities. She has just given birth to her first child, and now she is entering a world populated only by women: inmates, nurses and wardens, women of all ages, wives and widows, daughters, sisters, pregnant women, and women with children too. If not for the color of the uniform, it would sometimes be hard to tell who is who.
Insights
Plot Summary
In a Ukrainian prison, women are mothers to their young children. The film documents their daily lives and the challenges they face within the prison system, exploring themes of motherhood, confinement, and human resilience. It offers an intimate look at the unique circumstances of these women and their children.
Critical Reception
107 Mothers received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its unique premise, intimate portrayal of its subjects, and Kerekes's sensitive direction. Some noted the film's raw emotional impact and its success in humanizing its incarcerated characters.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its unique and emotionally resonant look at motherhood within a prison.
- Kerekes's direction is lauded for its sensitivity and observational style.
- The film is considered a powerful and humanizing exploration of its subject matter.
Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's profound emotional impact and its success in providing a compassionate and eye-opening perspective on the lives of incarcerated mothers and their children.
Awards & Accolades
Nominated for Best Documentary at the European Film Awards.
Fun Fact
The film blurs the lines between documentary and fiction, with some scenes being reenacted and others captured in a vérité style, allowing for a deeper exploration of the emotional truths of its subjects.
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