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True Mothers

Play trailer Poster for True Mothers 2020 2h 20m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
An adopted son's mother receives an unexpected visit from the boy's biological mother.
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True Mothers

True Mothers

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Critics Consensus

True Mothers uses an intractable conflict to explore the bonds of parenthood with director/co-writer Naomi Kawase's usual sensitivity and grace.

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Critics Reviews

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Simran Hans Observer (UK) 04/18/2021
3/5
[A] tender, compassionate drama about the complexities of motherhood. Go to Full Review Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) 04/16/2021
3/5
Kawase's cast embrace the power of small gestures, especially Makita. Go to Full Review Raphael Abraham Financial Times 04/14/2021
3/5
Delicately, the director peels away the layers of propriety and eventually the emotional heart of the movie does reveal itself and make its presence felt - it's just that Kawase takes a circuitous, scenic route to get there. Go to Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) 02/13/2024
Kawase films with a gauzy haze, which heightens the moments of hopefulness, and shows the empathetic light with which she paints their world. Go to Full Review Carla Monfort Espinof 06/05/2023
3.5/5
True Mothers uses melodrama to dig into the meaning of motherhood and spins the narrative structure to soberly and sensitively show the characters' internal dilemmas. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Wilson Kwong easternKicks.com 02/12/2022
In Naomi Kawases True Mothers, what couldve easily been a tearjerker of a melodrama, is instead a tender and surprisingly restrained tale of motherhood. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Aluna U Sep 24 True Mothers, adapted from Mizuki Tsujimura’s novel Asa ga Kuru, offers a deeply emotional exploration of motherhood through the intersecting lives of Satoko and Hikari, two women connected by a child and bound by sacrifice. Instead of focusing solely on custody conflict, the film thoughtfully portrays different forms of maternal love—both from the woman who gives birth and the one who raises the child. With strong performances, elegant visuals, and a non-linear yet clear narrative, the film leaves a lasting impression about the true meaning of being a mother. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) See more 04/29/2021 There are not so many movies that leave a mark - a lasting impact... Every aspect of the movie was so deeply thought out and beautifully created. A movie I'll never forget. See more 04/08/2021 A very strong film. It is wonderfully moving and carries you away in contemplation over the characters misjudgments and decisions. See more Read all reviews
True Mothers

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Cast & Crew

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Naomi Kawase

Director

Arata Iura

Kiyokazu Kurihara

Hiromi Nagasaku

Satoko Kurihara

Aju Makita

Hikari Katakura

Reo Sato

Asato Kurihara

Hiroko Nakajima

Takako Katakura
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True Mothers

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Movie Info

Synopsis An adopted son's mother receives an unexpected visit from the boy's biological mother.
Director
Naomi Kawase
Producer
Yumiko Takebe
Screenwriter
Naomi Kawase
Production Co
Kazumo, Kino Films, Kumie, Inc., Kinoshita Group Holdings
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 24, 2021
Runtime
2h 20m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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