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True Mothers

Play trailer Poster for True Mothers 2020 2h 20m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
An adopted son's mother receives an unexpected visit from the boy's biological mother.
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True Mothers

True Mothers

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Critics Consensus

True Mothers uses an intractable conflict to explore the bonds of parenthood with director/co-writer Naomi Kawase's usual sensitivity and grace.

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Critics Reviews

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Simran Hans Observer (UK) [A] tender, compassionate drama about the complexities of motherhood. Rated: 3/5 Apr 18, 2021 Full Review Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) Kawase's cast embrace the power of small gestures, especially Makita. Rated: 3/5 Apr 16, 2021 Full Review Raphael Abraham Financial Times Delicately, the director peels away the layers of propriety and eventually the emotional heart of the movie does reveal itself and make its presence felt - it's just that Kawase takes a circuitous, scenic route to get there. Rated: 3/5 Apr 14, 2021 Full Review Marya E. Gates Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack) Kawase films with a gauzy haze, which heightens the moments of hopefulness, and shows the empathetic light with which she paints their world. Feb 13, 2024 Full Review Carla Monfort Espinof True Mothers uses melodrama to dig into the meaning of motherhood and spins the narrative structure to soberly and sensitively show the characters' internal dilemmas. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 5, 2023 Full Review Wilson Kwong easternKicks.com In Naomi Kawases True Mothers, what couldve easily been a tearjerker of a melodrama, is instead a tender and surprisingly restrained tale of motherhood. Feb 12, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Aluna U True Mothers, adapted from Mizuki Tsujimura’s novel Asa ga Kuru, offers a deeply emotional exploration of motherhood through the intersecting lives of Satoko and Hikari, two women connected by a child and bound by sacrifice. Instead of focusing solely on custody conflict, the film thoughtfully portrays different forms of maternal love—both from the woman who gives birth and the one who raises the child. With strong performances, elegant visuals, and a non-linear yet clear narrative, the film leaves a lasting impression about the true meaning of being a mother. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/24/25 Full Review matthew r First off, this is a fine film. The amount of social and personal issues this movie touched on was immense but it didn't feel like it. Its when the movie is over you realize everything the film spoke to. The acting was divine, some of the best I've seen in a long time. Fair warning, this movie is slow and, at least to me, some reactions get lost in translation. Yet, once again, a Japanese film shows us the beauty of the people who are part of that culture. The imagery, both physical and emotional, are beautiful. This film can show us a beauty when anger and self-pity are not a part of life and how lovely society is when it's people truly have respect for each other. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member There are not so many movies that leave a mark - a lasting impact... Every aspect of the movie was so deeply thought out and beautifully created. A movie I'll never forget. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member A very strong film. It is wonderfully moving and carries you away in contemplation over the characters misjudgments and decisions. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
True Mothers

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Cast & Crew

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Naomi Kawase

Director

Arata Iura

Kiyokazu Kurihara

Hiromi Nagasaku

Satoko Kurihara

Aju Makita

Hikari Katakura

Reo Sato

Asato Kurihara

Hiroko Nakajima

Takako Katakura
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True Mothers

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Movie Info

Synopsis An adopted son's mother receives an unexpected visit from the boy's biological mother.
Director
Naomi Kawase
Producer
Yumiko Takebe
Screenwriter
Naomi Kawase
Production Co
Kazumo, Kino Films, Kumie, Inc., Kinoshita Group Holdings
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 24, 2021
Runtime
2h 20m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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