In this moving Swedish and Finnish co-production, director Klaus Härö uses a historical glimpse of the Nordic countries to examine aspects of the human condition. Härö addresses the nature of loss as well as the meaning of family. "Mother of Mine" is the tale of a young boy, Eero (Topi Majaniemi), one of more than 70,000 war children displaced from Finland in World War II and relocated in neutral Sweden. Following the death of Eero's father in the war, Eero's mother, Kirsti (Marjaana Maijala), is severely grief stricken and chooses to send Eero to live with a family in rural Sweden. Eero's foster parents, Signe (Maria Lundqvist) and Hjalmar (Michael Nyqvist) expect to adopt a young girl and are thus surprised when he arrives. Hjalmar welcomes Eero warmly and is able to form a strong relationship with the boy. Signe, however, is unexpectedly cold and short-tempered to her new foster child. As Eero overcomes the difficulties of assimilating in this new environment, the reason for Signe's bitterness is made clear, and the relationship between Eero and his foster mother begins to grow.
The nature of loss is addressed in a rather broad manner in "Mother of Mine." Characters in this film experience both the loss of life and the temporary loss of connection to a loved one. The first significant instance of loss is the death of Eero's father. This has a devastating impact on Kirsti, who is overwhelmed with severe depression. While the characters' reactions to this loss suggests Kirsti is most heavily affected, the young Eero is stricken by the recurring element of broken promises, which accompanies loss in this film. Eero's father promises that he will return soon and everything will be as it was, which is shattered early in the film. Shortly after, loss is experienced in another form, as Kirsti sends her only child away to Sweden. During their farewells, Kirsti echos her husband's promise to Eero, saying they will be together soon and everything will be as it was. Eero, recognizing the similarity to his father's promise, is unwilling to blatantly accept and is faced with the loss of his only remaining family member. In Sweden, Signe's past is plagued by the death of her six year old daughter. In addition to grief, Signe's loss is accompanied by guilt for her lack of attentiveness that led to her daughter's drowning. Signe also experiences the loss of Eero, a child she has come to know as her own. Eero is once again left with a broken promise; Signe states Eero and her will never be separated. Härö presents loss and its impacts in a number of forms in "Mother of Mine". In doing so, Härö includes a Christian theme as an explanation for loss, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, which Signe shares with Eero as she explains the reason for death and loss. This Christian perspective of loss is a rather distinct element of the film.
A unique set of film techniques is used within "Mother of Mine" to contribute to the pathos and focus of the film. Music plays an integral role in "Mother of Mine." Tones within the film are emphasized by the score, which is often in a minor key. In addition, a handful of slow motion scenes are used to heighten the intensity of critical scenes, including the scene in which Eero is forced to leave Hjalmar and Signe in Sweden. The use of color in the portrayal of Eero's childhood and monochrome for the latter stages of Eero's life emphasizes the importance of the events of his childhood in relation to his adult life. Subtle techniques such as these contribute very heavily to the overall quality and effect of the film.
Härö provides a very interesting examination of the nature of family in "Mother of Mine." The film begins with a breakdown of a family unit following the death of Eero's father. Eero is separated from his mother and introduced into a new family, in which he becomes a fundamental part of. As Eero's relationship with Signe grows, his ties to Kirsti begin to unwind. The weakening relationship between Eero and his mother is a result of his perception of her actions; Eero associates his mother's choice to send and keep him in Sweden with abandonment. It is only after many years that Eero realizes his mother's intentions reflect her love her son. Härö's use of this complex structure of relationships supports a broad definition of family that is not limited to blood ties, even if those ties remain a part of one's life. That being said, this film demonstrates the equal love for a son, by two independent mothers, and the difficulties in choosing what is best for him.
"Mother of Mine" is powerful and emotional film that displays distinct elements of human nature in a factual and unique historical context. In this film, Härö provides a Christian, but universal perspective of loss and examines the love present in uncommon relationships. The result is a work of art that goes beyond the traditional bounds of cinema.
The nature of loss is addressed in a rather broad manner in "Mother of Mine." Characters in this film experience both the loss of life and the temporary loss of connection to a loved one. The first significant instance of loss is the death of Eero's father. This has a devastating impact on Kirsti, who is overwhelmed with severe depression. While the characters' reactions to this loss suggests Kirsti is most heavily affected, the young Eero is stricken by the recurring element of broken promises, which accompanies loss in this film. Eero's father promises that he will return soon and everything will be as it was, which is shattered early in the film. Shortly after, loss is experienced in another form, as Kirsti sends her only child away to Sweden. During their farewells, Kirsti echos her husband's promise to Eero, saying they will be together soon and everything will be as it was. Eero, recognizing the similarity to his father's promise, is unwilling to blatantly accept and is faced with the loss of his only remaining family member. In Sweden, Signe's past is plagued by the death of her six year old daughter. In addition to grief, Signe's loss is accompanied by guilt for her lack of attentiveness that led to her daughter's drowning. Signe also experiences the loss of Eero, a child she has come to know as her own. Eero is once again left with a broken promise; Signe states Eero and her will never be separated. Härö presents loss and its impacts in a number of forms in "Mother of Mine". In doing so, Härö includes a Christian theme as an explanation for loss, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, which Signe shares with Eero as she explains the reason for death and loss. This Christian perspective of loss is a rather distinct element of the film.
A unique set of film techniques is used within "Mother of Mine" to contribute to the pathos and focus of the film. Music plays an integral role in "Mother of Mine." Tones within the film are emphasized by the score, which is often in a minor key. In addition, a handful of slow motion scenes are used to heighten the intensity of critical scenes, including the scene in which Eero is forced to leave Hjalmar and Signe in Sweden. The use of color in the portrayal of Eero's childhood and monochrome for the latter stages of Eero's life emphasizes the importance of the events of his childhood in relation to his adult life. Subtle techniques such as these contribute very heavily to the overall quality and effect of the film.
Härö provides a very interesting examination of the nature of family in "Mother of Mine." The film begins with a breakdown of a family unit following the death of Eero's father. Eero is separated from his mother and introduced into a new family, in which he becomes a fundamental part of. As Eero's relationship with Signe grows, his ties to Kirsti begin to unwind. The weakening relationship between Eero and his mother is a result of his perception of her actions; Eero associates his mother's choice to send and keep him in Sweden with abandonment. It is only after many years that Eero realizes his mother's intentions reflect her love her son. Härö's use of this complex structure of relationships supports a broad definition of family that is not limited to blood ties, even if those ties remain a part of one's life. That being said, this film demonstrates the equal love for a son, by two independent mothers, and the difficulties in choosing what is best for him.
"Mother of Mine" is powerful and emotional film that displays distinct elements of human nature in a factual and unique historical context. In this film, Härö provides a Christian, but universal perspective of loss and examines the love present in uncommon relationships. The result is a work of art that goes beyond the traditional bounds of cinema.