Director’s Statement

In the past, when I saw mothers shouting at their babies on the street, read online about mothers confessing that they regretted having children, or read news about mothers hurting their children, I judged them for not loving their children enough and for not being good mothers. It wasn't until I became a mother and experienced the tug-of-war between my old and new identities, as well as the physical and mental pain, that I began to understand them. Becoming a mother appears to be a blind spot in gender equality: society romanticizes and celebrates motherhood in a way that takes all of the sacrifices mothers make for granted, is indifferent about their plight, and fails to provide them with adequate support. I am determined about bringing these issues to light through this film in order to explore with the audience the possibilities of changing existing gender stereotypes while also sending a big hug to all the struggling mothers.