As a mother myself, I found the portrayal of Karen’s character in “Der Spatz im Kamin” to be strikingly relatable and refreshingly nuanced. The film does an exceptional job of capturing the complexities and contradictions that often lurk within us as we navigate our roles as parents.
The 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival is showcasing a diverse assortment of films, tackling various subjects and ideas.
In many of the movies shown at the Swiss festival, you’ll find common themes being explored, including the realms of artificial intelligence and digital technology.
“Giona A. Nazzaro, the artistic director of Locarno, recently explained to THR that another prominent topic is the discussion about the historical feminist female identity and its various interpretations in today’s world.”
At the Locarno Film Festival, numerous movies offer unique portrayals of women interacting with their children that move beyond stereotypical images of nurturing mothers. For instance, Kurdwin Ayub’s second fiction film, Moon, which debuted at the competition during the festival, contains a conversation between a mother and her sister about her child that may make viewers squirm uneasily.
As a movie enthusiast, I’m particularly drawn to the Locarno International Competition’s lineup, which includes two films that offer an unconventional perspective on motherhood. Instead of the usual loving and struggle-free portrayals, these films delve into the complex emotions mothers experience towards their families in a way seldom seen in more traditional narratives.
For instance: Spanish director Mar Coll’s latest production, titled “Salve Maria” (Mothers Don’t), has sparked intense discussions following its world debut at Locarno. The film delves into the profound pain and guilt that motherhood can entail.
“Maria, a budding author and new mom, encounters a shocking news item: a French woman allegedly drowned her 10-month-old twins in the bath. This disturbing event captivates Maria, leading to an intense fascination. What could have driven her to commit such a heinous act? From then on, the specter of infanticide haunts Maria’s life as a constant, unsettling question.”
In a director’s message, Coll discusses her movie that’s based on Katixa Agirre’s book Mothers Don’t, featuring Laura Weissmahr and Oriol Pla. She shares that she delves into the complex character of a mother burdened by regret. Caught in endless guilt and misinterpretations from society, she grapples with the terror of her own perceived monstrous state.
In an interaction at Locarno, Coll revealed the story behind the movie to the audience. She explained that when she was planning her third film, she was caring for a baby who was fifteen months old, while her co-writer Valentina Viso already had two daughters. They often discussed their experiences of motherhood and shared both their struggles and joy. Coll felt that the experience of motherhood was profoundly important in their lives, and cinematically significant. At that time, she came across a book titled “Mothers Don’t” which further inspired them to approach this topic from a visceral, irrational perspective. They believed that motherhood is not just a rational experience, but also a deeply emotional one.
As a dedicated admirer, I can personally attest that the creation of this film was an emotionally taxing experience for me. Yet, as I delved deeper into its profound themes, I discovered a striking resonance within myself, making it all the more significant.
Weissmahr shared that her initial role as a main character in a film was tough due to the strong emotions involved and because she doesn’t have children or knew how to care for one. She described it as if she was a new mother, learning as she went along. “Each new experience felt like a surprise, just as it would for actual mothers,” she added.
During the press conference for “Mothers Don’t”, Weissmahr added: “Some viewers may recall their own experiences of becoming mothers upon watching the film. And when I eventually become a mother, I too will remember this movie.”
At the same press conference, Coll expressed her desire to evoke emotions in viewers through her film. She aimed to create a movie that would be intense and vivid, more focused on physical sensations rather than intellect. Her choice was to delve into the horror and thriller genres. Building an atmosphere was crucial for her, as she wanted to resonate with the audience not only with fear but also with all the tension and oppression they might feel.
The Spanish filmmaker found it crucial to address challenging topics, stating, “This is a tough topic. It’s considered off-limits.”
The film Der Spatz im Kamin (The Sparrow in the Chimney), directed by Ramon Zürcher, was the second international competition entry at Locarno and offers a complex and thought-provoking portrayal of motherhood. The German-language feature film, which left audiences at Locarno intrigued, stars Maren Eggert (from I’m Your Man) as Karen, Britta Hammelstein (known for The Baader Meinhof Complex) as Jule, and Andreas Döhler (familiar from All Quiet on the Western Front) as Markus, along with other talented actors.
In the countryside, Karen and Markus reside with their children in a home that Karen grew up in. On Markus’ birthday, Karen’s sister Jule visits with her family. The sisters are polar opposites. Tormented by memories of their deceased mother, Jule seems compelled to confront Karen’s control. As the house becomes crowded, Karen’s stress escalates until it all erupts into a blazing conflagration. This film, helmed by Zürcher (of “The Girl and the Spider” and “The Strange Little Cat”), was produced by his brother Silvan, as described on the Locarno festival website.
Nazzaro disclosed to THR that the upcoming film, a preview of which can be found here, tackles a family teetering on the edge of either disintegrating or collapsing. He further stated, “This movie is another instance where family dynamics and societal influences intertwine and become indistinguishable from one another.”
As a gamer, if I were asked during a press conference about the unique portrayal of mothers in two films in the main competition section, I might say something like this:
He commented: “The characters in the movie can be perceived as ‘unfit mother,’ ‘resisting motherhood,’ ‘regretting motherhood,’ and so on. However, it’s important to note that this was not the initial intention when creating the character.” (Paraphrased)
A cast member later shared with THR her gratitude for the intricate and multidimensional representation of women and motherhood in the movie, expressing her hope for more similar female characters to emerge in the future. “There’s a longstanding perspective that’s been ingrained in our society,” Hammelstein noted. “It implies, whether a woman is a mother or not, but being a mother holds a unique status – I’m a mother myself, so I understand – that women, especially mothers, are expected to be flawless and nurturing.”
In an evolving world, that particular role hasn’t undergone significant transformation according to her assertion. She pointed out that the actress now often needs to juggle a career and household chores, a shift from the past, but she must also shoulder traditional care responsibilities alongside regular work. Interestingly, she suggested that society values this dual role more in women than men.
Hammelstein summarized: “I believe it’s crucial to share narratives about women instead of men because a celibate man or an authoritarian father is often seen as the norm, compared to a mother like her. However, this behavior is not exclusive to women, and we should cease our judgment. We should stop judging women alone for such actions.”
Read More
- BODEN PREDICTION. BODEN cryptocurrency
- GHST PREDICTION. GHST cryptocurrency
- BETA PREDICTION. BETA cryptocurrency
- STRD PREDICTION. STRD cryptocurrency
- Mango Markets Exploiter Found Guilty Of Fraud And Manipulation
- GBP EUR PREDICTION
- MATIC PREDICTION. MATIC cryptocurrency
- LOOKS PREDICTION. LOOKS cryptocurrency
- BRN/USD
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
2024-08-14 11:25