logline
A family's poignant quest for identity unfolds as their mother, who was adopted by Lutheran missionaries, returns to Thailand for the first time. Through candid reflections and cultural exploration, they bridge the gap between past and present, reckon with the ethics of their Mother’s adoption, reconnect with their heritage, and redefine what it means for them to be Thai-American.
Ipseity (2021)
Ipseity delves into the transracial adoption of the filmmaker’s mother from Thailand. It is a collage of perspectives of the adoptive mother, the adoptee, and her three daughters. It now serves as a proof of concept for Mother’s Motherland which will expand upon these narratives into real-time as the family prepares for an inaugural visit to Thailand in February 2024.
Mother’s Motherland is a dedication to unraveling the complexities of identity and heritage. By documenting the experiences on the trip, the hope is to show the emotional nuances, struggles, and moments of discovery as the family experiences a land where their only connection is biological.
Support
Mother’s Motherland was granted production support by Milwaukee Film’s Forward Fund.