My Mother was a short mockumentary directed by Kim Ki Duk, starring his mother and himself. I enjoyed this short better before I read about the late director’s problematic history which took much of the delight out of the film for me.

The story itself is universal. A son calls his mom and says he’s coming over. The mother lights up and though physically disabled hobbles to the store in order to purchase ingredients to make a quick meal for him. Mothers everywhere with children at any age want to make sure that they are well fed and happy. Any time they can see their child as they grow older is a gift.

The director's reflection was shown in the mirror while shooting the film when his mother is in the grocery store. My Mother was a sweet short film about the tenacity and generosity of a mother’s love, even for a problematic child.

15 December 2024