Mother for Life

Mutterjahre is the fourth and final instalment in a series of documentary features centred on the life of one family struggling to survive on the breadline. Made by Peter Heller and Sylvie Banuls this film is the culmination of many years of work with Karla Bronnman and her nine children and builds a captivating and intimate portrait of their struggle to live on the margins of poverty in Cologne - a struggle that highlights above all else the resourcefulness and resilience of a mother prepared to give her all for her children. In this last episode "mama general" dies, her place at the table is left empty and the family will have to struggle alone without the driving force of their formidable figurehead.

Mama's motto was always "one for all, and all for one" and after her death daughter Rebecca takes on the responsibility of mother hen to this vast brood, having promised her dying mother. The family visit the graveyard regularly to 'talk' with mama and smoke a cigarette or two, and even though 'mama' is no longer physically there, it is clear she is still with them. The dreams and realities of the past, present and future help create a truly inspirational testimony of a humour, warmth and willpower that overcomes all circumstances.

(Dokfest Munich)