The film immediately sets a somewhat somber and realistic
tone with lots of greys during the opening credits sequence. The office, with
its filing cabinets, the clothing, and even the sky are grey. The only bright
color is the red clothing of an infant on a subway, drawing our eye and making
clear just how important a child is to Isa, showing how she views a child
against the rest of the world.
We then see Isa and Katja naked together at home, in a
very loving and comfortable embrace, peppered with soft speech and laughter, as
they start trying out different names for their baby. I appreciate that the
film quickly establishes their relationship as a loving one seemingly devoid of
drama. Because that allows this quest for a baby to become the drama, to become
almost the defining element of their relationship, as it eventually does.
The film follows this couple on this specific journey,
and it keeps the viewer quite close to them. Because we feel we’re on the
journey with them, we are baffled and frustrated when they’re baffled and
frustrated, excited and joyful when they are excited and joyful. The film has a
very true and realistic feel, almost like a documentary. It’s shot much like a
documentary, capturing the moments without relying too much on traditional film
coverage, and with seemingly natural lighting.
They decide to use a sperm donor. When Isa calls, she
says she’s in a lesbian relationship, and the response she gets is “As far
as I know, it’s not officially permitted in Germany,” which comes as a
surprise to Isa. Though they are married, they’re told it’s not the same thing
as a married heterosexual couple. Like any couple, they wonder about the costs
involved in raising a child, and they discuss their income and qualifications
for receiving a sperm donation. When they do find a doctor who will treat them,
he lets them know that only twenty to thirty percent of patients do become
pregnant. Plus, Isa is thirty-seven years old, which will make things even more
difficult. When a title card suddenly tells us, “11 inseminations, 9 months
later,” we might expect that Isa has become pregnant, but no, it’s not that
easy. Money becomes an issue, and they begin exploring other options.
This film has lots of sweet moments, as when Isa shares
information she’s reading with Katja. Isa says: “The chances of getting
pregnant are much higher if the woman is aroused. If she feels loved and safe
at the moment of insemination, as though nature had constructed the body for
that purpose. What shall we do about that?” And there’s a moment that is
simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking when Isa goes to purchase something
that will allow her to insert the sperm herself, and the woman behind the
counter suggests seeing a vet for whatever tools they use to breed large dogs.
Isa is really driven to have a child, which begins to
create problems in their relationship, to the point where we begin to wonder if
a child really is the best thing for them. It’s interesting, because at that
moment, we begin to feel a bit more distanced from them, just as they begin to
feel a distance between themselves. This film has a completely believable feel,
and that is in large part due to the good, honest, natural performances of the
two leads.
Two Mothers is presented in German with English
subtitles. It was directed by Anne Zohra Berrached, and is scheduled to be
released on DVD on January 13, 2015 through Canteen Outlaws and TLA Releasing.
The DVD includes the trailer.
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