Montages of a Modern Motherhood (2024) - Movie Review

The Tokyo International Film Festival currently features a poignant exploration of late-stage pregnancy and new motherhood in Montages of a Modern Motherhood. Directed by Chan Oliver Siu Kuen, this film artfully presents a raw depiction of a mother's trials as she navigates the demands of her newborn. The story revolves around Jing(Hedwig Tam), who alongside toiling at a bakery, struggles with the relentless demands of her infant daughter while balancing her professional life. Jing's tribulations are aggravated as she shares living space with her in-laws. One plot point includes Jing's dismay at finding her baby dotted with ashes from "charm paper," a ritual practiced by her mother-in-law for the baby’s good fortune. Next in her list of struggles, Jing grapples with buoying her milk supply for breastfeeding. Despite her earnest efforts using mechanical pumps and varied diets, her success is limited. Adding to her despair are her husband Wai's indifferent parenting and his dismissive attitude towards her determination to continue working. Eventually losing her job, Jing battles rejection from potential employers when they learn she has a baby.

Written by Chan after the birth of her first child, the film offers a deeply empathetic snapshot of Jing's daunting journey through motherhood. Tam delivers a stirring performance that beautifully captures Jing's volatile emotions, with a notable monologue expressing her emotional rollercoaster from joy to despair. Amidst her challenges, Jing confesses to her mother, "I miss being a daughter," a poignant revelation of the sense of identity loss often experienced in new motherhood. Montages of a Modern Motherhood delves into the complex myriad of experiences that accompany the journey to motherhood, addressing this universal issue with depth, sensitivity and an authentic portrayal of the intense challenges new mothers face.