Tatsushi Ōmori’s Mother (2020) vividly portrays the harrowing realities of childism through a profoundly dysfunctional maternal relationship. The film centers on Akiko and her son Shuhei, showcasing how childism manifests in their tumultuous family dynamic. Akiko’s manipulative and neglectful behavior starkly represents childism, exploiting and mistreating Shuhei to serve her own needs while disregarding his fundamental rights and emotional well-being. Despite enduring constant manipulation and neglect, Shuhei’s loyalty to his abusive mother underscores the complex nature of familial bonds affected by childism. Inspired by a true story, the film documents Shuhei’s struggle with maternal dysfunction and the lack of protective measures for vulnerable children, which impede his development and identity formation. His quest for a sense of self amid relentless abuse provides a poignant commentary on the broader impacts of childism. While the film primarily focuses on personal family dynamics, it implicitly critiques societal neglect and the failure to protect vulnerable children. This presentation will discuss how Mother serves as a powerful portrayal of systemic child discrimination, urging a reevaluation of societal attitudes toward children’s rights and well-being.

Authors:
Gamze Hakverdi, Independent Researcher, Italy

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Gamze Hakverdi holds a PhD in Communication Sciences from Ankara University and is currently pursuing a Master's in Child Studies at Linköping University, Sweden, driven by a deep commitment to interdisciplinary research

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gamze-hakverdi-13a6781b0/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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