Denise Khng’s short film, Motherland, is the story of a deteriorating family and a deeply buried truth.
Our story opens during a parent/teacher conference at school. Sarah (Lim Shi-An) sits outside the counselor’s office as her mother (Karen Tan Bee Lin) tearfully speaks to Mrs. Reema (Nora Samosir). Sarah’s mother lets Mrs. Reema know that Sarah is not the quiet, obedient child she knows at school. In fact, Sarah has a destructive temper at home. Surprised by the mother’s story, Mrs. Reema promises to speak to Sarah about her behavior and set things right.
“Sarah’s mother lets Mrs. Reema know that Sarah is not the quiet, obedient child she knows at school.”
There are a few revelations that come out that are not worth spoiling, but Motherland brushes the surface and then dives a few levels on the issue of abusive and dysfunctional families. The short film’s slow reveals expose deception, manipulation, and power plays between Sarah and her mother.
The short film is primarily a drama—tight and compact, focusing on three actors portraying their parts. The scenes are simple setups. Each actor brings the right emotions to their respective roles as one revelation leads to the next. We are juggling feelings and emotions as characters keep their card held close to the vest. Writer/director Denise Khng tells an incredible and intriguing story and perfectly manages the shifting motivations and pretenses of our lead characters. Of course, like many short films, the tension builds right to the end, leaving us wanting more in this commentary on the power struggle between parents and teenagers.
For more information about Motherland, visit Denise Khng’s official website.
