As a mother who has been through the tumultuous journey of new parenthood myself, I found “Montages of a Modern Motherhood” to be an unflinching and poignant portrayal of the challenges and emotions that come with motherhood in today’s world. The film’s protagonist, Jing, played brilliantly by Hedwig Tam, resonated deeply with me as I saw my own struggles reflected in her character.
Women in advanced stages of pregnancy might find it more suitable to steer clear of the movie “Montages of a Modern Motherhood“, currently being screened at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The film, directed by Chan Oliver Siu Kuen (known for “Still Human“), focuses on a new mother struggling with the emotional and physical challenges of caring for her newborn daughter, and the portrayal is quite distressing.
The movie opens in a tranquil manner, focusing on a close-up of a crib mobile that could imply peaceful evenings and mornings filled with a child’s restful slumber. However, the peacefulness is only an illusion for Jing (Hedwig Tam) and her newborn, who spends most of her awake time crying uncontrollably. This constant crying leaves Jing physically drained, as she works long hours at a bakery and is determined to hold onto her job.
She resides with her husband, Wai (Lo Chun Yip), along with his parents, who are not always supportive in their actions. A colleague comments sarcastically, “Best of luck with that!”. At one instance, Jing finds her child covered in black spots due to the remnants from the “lucky paper” her mother-in-law (Pang Hang Ying) used for the baby’s wellbeing. Moreover, Jing is committed to breastfeeding and becomes aggravated when she learns that her mother-in-law has been administering formula without her consent.
It turns out that breastfeeding isn’t a breeze for Jing, much to her annoyance. She seeks guidance from friends and explores various online communities, even experimenting with different breast pumps and dietary adjustments to boost her milk production. However, these attempts seldom bear fruit. As for Wai, who is employed full-time, he often seems oblivious — reluctantly providing minimal assistance in parenting and criticizing Jing’s decision to keep working. This lack of support takes a toll on their relationship, with their intimate moments often ending prematurely due to the discomfort Jing experiences during lovemaking.
Following Jing’s termination from work (her colleague doesn’t have a spouse to financially support her, the reasoning goes), she desperately seeks another job. Potential employers are captivated by her baking talents but opt not to hire her after learning she has a child. In due course, she finds herself in a position where she resorts to deceit about her marital status.
Chan, the screenwriter who penned the script post the arrival of her first baby, offers a profoundly compassionate portrayal of Jing’s struggles. She benefits significantly from Tam’s exceptional acting skills, which effectively express the changing emotions that Jing experiences. One of the most impactful moments in this performance comes during a lengthy monologue where Jing speaks candidly about motherhood, sharing her feelings ranging from intense joy to debilitating sadness. As you watch, it’s hard not to empathize with her, even when she’s left frustrated and screaming at her inconsolable newborn daughter.
In time, during a heartfelt interaction with her mother (Mom), who tries to offer comfort, Jing confides tearfully, “I feel a longing for my days as a daughter.” The film, Montages of a Modern Motherhood, skillfully explores the burden of new parenthood and the potential loss of self-identity that often comes with it, tackling its universally relatable theme with insight and compassion.
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2024-11-01 01:25