DMovies - Your platform for thought-provoking cinema

My Mother’s Son

A mother and a son wage a proxy war between science and denialism, bringing a complex ideological struggle into the heart of a small family

Soft-spoken and kind Ash Steadman (Tom Rouvray) lives with his the angry and formidable mother Sabine Steadman-Buttler (Stacha Hicks), somewhere in urban England (probably London). The young man is a devout university student, keen on Aristotle and committed to science. His mother is a self-appointed “freedom-fighter”, who actively campaigns against mask and vaccine mandates. She claims that she used to work in the medical industry and asserts that “no vaccine has ever worked”. They represent the two opposite facets of the deeply polarised world that existed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The problem is that they share a house, and they views are so irreconcilable that peaceful co-existence becomes inviable.

Sabine isn’t the picture of a doting mother. A young Ash observes his fragmented mother through a kaleidoscope in the first sequence of the film, during the year of 2004, symbolising and anticipating the fractious relationship that would prevail two decades later. One day, the two inevitably come face-to-face in the public eye, as Sabine delivers as a diatribe laden with fake news and conspiracy theories. She is literally on stage, with a medium-sized crowd of ardent denialists cheering her on.

Ash wishes to confront his mother in front of her supporters, his friends preventing him from doing so. Should our young protagonist engage in an open duel with the very woman who raised in nurtured him? His actions will shock and appease the UK in equal measures. Finally, Ash goes on national television in order to ponder the consequence of his actions, and the importance of vouching for the truth.

In just 18 minutes, My Mother’s Son raises vital questions about the nature of conspiracy theories and our intimate relationship with the champions of post-truth ideas. Ash and Sabine perfectly embody the two years of ideological warfare that the Covid-19 pandemic brought upon us. The enemy isn’t always far away. It could be someone of your own flash and blood. The movie does not endeavour to answer all the complex questions, leaving instead viewers to reflect about their own principles and personal connections. Now that the pandemic is over, times have once again quickly changed. Yet conspiracy theories after here to stay, firmly etched on popular opinion. Is it perhaps time for reconciliation?

My Mother’s Son showed at Sunset Screening Sessions and also at the Cork International Film Festival. Stay tuned for a VoD launch.


By Victor Fraga - 02-11-2022

Victor Fraga is a Brazilian born and London-based journalist and filmmaker with more than 20 years of involvement in the cinema industry and beyond. He is an LGBT writer, and describes himself as a di...

DMovies Poll

Are the Oscars dirty enough for DMovies?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Most Read

Forget Friday the 13th, Paranormal Activity and the [Read More...]
Just a few years back, finding a film [Read More...]
A lot of British people would rather forget [Read More...]
Pigs might fly. And so Brexit might happen. [Read More...]
Sexual diversity is at the very heart of [Read More...]
Films quotes are very powerful not just because [Read More...]

Read More

How to write a dirty movie summary essay: comprehensive tips and techniques

 

Marina Hillquist - 16-09-2023

Master the art of writing a compelling movie summary essay with our detailed guide. Learn how to structure, analyse, and present your observations effectively for any film.  [Read More...]

A Day and a Half (En Dag och en Halv)

Fares Fares
2023

Dimitris Passas - 14-09-2023

Swedish hostage drama morphs into confessional car journey, but this potentially gripping story is crippled by a poor script - out now on Netflix [Read More...]

Raindance: “younger” and more audacious than ever?

 

DMovies' team - 13-09-2023

As the UK's favourite indie festival announces its programme, with a strong focus on young and nascent filmmaking talent, we take a look at their selection, and ask the two artistic directors what is it that makes these directors special [Read More...]

Facebook Comment

Website Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *