Mum, I'm Alien Pregnant

SilentDawn3.5

63Chicago International Film Festival #4Goes full-tilt with the gross out gags and outrageous body horror, to a degree that had me wincing at its escalating absurdity. But the film ultimately works best as an examination of the misogyny inherent in healthcare systems and the lack of proper abortion access. Funny, nasty, truthful. So many supporting roles from What We Do in the Shadows as well - a quality New Zealand genre romp that is absolutely worth seeing.

THUNDERLIPS

My mum watched this movie knowing that two of the characters are low-key based on her. She isn't on Letterboxd but she sent me this LONG text the next morning and I reckon it belongs here. It’s spoiler-filled, so do make sure you see the movie before reading this - plus that way you’ll know what I mean when I say it feels like something Cynthia could have written.Just reflecting on the movie this morning.Not sure I can recommend to my friends and siblings but I wish they could at some point. Just that genitalia is such a private thing so a bit of a shock to see it on the big screen. And that a lot of what your generation is normalising around sex is still in the sin and shame category for them.You got world class performances... I never felt I was watching someone act. Your main 4 were so good.Yes I did see myself in both those mums at times!The ending was so fitting... Mary embodied the horror of it all so well while having such a tension within for a need to satisfy her own longings.Boo was a bit of a surprise but so authentic for having lived which being so different and a mum who was over protective. I felt like his story arch was believable and his choice to keep the baby was believable.He played the transformation through so well. Obviously well directed:)That mother conversation was a bit fleeting perhaps where there's the hint that she had not minded being abducted. But the message came through.Cynthia made me laugh the whole way through... what a character she personified, the simplistically minded mother ... almost unable to see things another way even when it's right in her face... she embodied the dilemma of humanity in always bringing things down into her explainable identified experiences.Anne was so opposite ... but having fully experienced something so other, has not been able to evolve with it but has to pull into keeping life uncomplicated to protect her secret. Now is almost without passion at all.I thought the editing was really great not that I know much but it flowed so well.The pace was great... each new scene had something you knew was building but what was going to happen was not easily predictable.The social stuff of the health care system came through loud and clear.I felt the balance of the sounds and music was great coz I never felt it overpowered the story, except when it was shock factor time and needed to! Perfect pairing for the story I'd say.I was aware of how sensitive you were to the female experience by 'honouring' all the aspects that affect our bodies in the process of pregnancy... from conception to being stitched up. Mary went from having no clues and direction to having a much clearer sense of self and what she knew she didn't want from life.Kinda cool how she demanded Boo to take responsibility but also to support and ultimately carry the consequences.It was powerful how she found her voice demanding what she needed from the 'Professionals', the rawness of wanting and trying to get rid of it, even her resignation to the electrically charged power within her unwanted state that was burning its way through her.The whole creative thinking in that birthing pod was insane and how each person was interacting with it was so integral to who we had come to know them.I think you also showcased a cool side of simple living New Zealand style... The enclave of 1970's flats, the interior decor, the washing lines, overgrown back yards, the street view from the ambulance.... definitely not American, England, Oz or Europe.Recognisably NZ I reckon!That's my morning ramble!

PJ4.0

I love whatever is wrong with new zealand