Solomamma
A sensitive Norwegian drama about a single mother who unexpectedly discovers the identity of her sperm donor. Under false pretences, she contacts him and becomes increasingly entangled in her own web of lies.
Edith is a journalist, a mother and cares for her mother, who has dementia. For the past four years, she has raised her daughter Sigurd on her own – not always easy, but a conscious choice. Curious about the biological father – mainly to get an idea of what her son might look like later on – she arranges an interview with Niels, the man who donated his sperm to a Danish clinic. Ethically sound? That question keeps nagging at her as they regularly bump into each other after the interview.
The multi-layered story is inspired by the life of a friend of the filmmaker. The theme is topical and frequently explored in films – such as in the Canadian comedy Starbuck, in which a man discovers he is the father of as many as 533 children. Solomamma opts for a more balanced portrait of a mother who wonders what life would have been like had Sigurd been born from a ‘normal’ romantic relationship with Niels.
Thanks to the excellent casting, the avoidance of clichés surrounding sperm donation, and the natural dialogue, we become part of Edith’s heartfelt journey. Drawing on her background as a theatre maker, Askevold succeeds brilliantly in weaving her interest in family dynamics and contemporary social issues into a modern story. Plenty to think about.
Written by E.J.