Ma ma is a Spanish foreign language film telling a heartfelt story about a single mother dealing with the hardships of cancer treatment.
The film which stars Penélope Cruz, focuses on the main character as she deals with a multitude of issues while going through the different stages of ovarian cancer treatment.
Exploring the challenges it has on her family, friends and her own outlook on life.
Synopsis
Ma ma is a touching and gorgeous film which tells a story of strength and vulnerability.
The film follows the main character Magda, (Penélope Cruz), who struggles with balancing her life and personal health with a young son. Tragedy strikes when she is diagnosed with ovarian cancer which sees her overall morale plummet.
The film follows Magda as she tries to maintain normality in her life while dealing with her worsening condition. She manages to meet a man named Arturo, (acted by Luis Tosar) who is dealing with a similar type of pain having recently lost his wife.
The remainder of the film follows Magda as she deals with her illness and attempts to change her life for the better with help from her doctor, partner and son.
Important Themes
Ma ma is almost like a film case study on how someone can find joy, beauty and happiness while undergoing cancer treatment. As well as coming to terms with feelings of regret and fear.
The film touches on many topics surrounding self-fulfillment, illness and the perception of modern day femininity.
Ma ma is both beautiful and is produced with enchanting realism. It tells a very deep and emotional story which gives the viewer a unique personal take on life through the eyes of a woman struggling with her demons while going through strenuous treatment.
The film sheds light on how women going through so much change can still hold on to their femininity and what makes them distinctly human.
Instead of giving into the disease, Magda chooses to embrace everything she has in her life and grow from her experiences.
Today, cancer is known to be one of the most dangerous and prominent diseases you hear about in popular culture. It is hard to find someone who hasn't been touched by the illness in some sort of way.
Internationally, cancer is on the rise and so with it comes stigma. Specifically when referring to breast cancer.
After completing treatment many women either feel or are seen as "less of a woman". Along with the physical, mental and emotional issues of undergoing treatment there is often a perception of someone being labelled as damaged from the processes.
However, as cancer research on average has increased, more success stories are emerging. With that more is being done to defeat this 'defeated' perception of the disease.
Women who soldier through breast cancer are finding new ways to define their femininity. And by no means does this mean that every single woman fits the expected socially-constructed perception of femininity.
Additionally, there are many resources that are available where authors share their personal stories and speak to these issues.
One of which being No Less a Woman: Femininity, Sexuality, and Breast Cancer by Deborah Hobler Kahane and many online resources like The Breast Cancer Community.
Instead of being deemed as damaged from the process, many women actually end up growing from their experiences as their stories of courage and strength should be heralded instead of being scrutinized.
Female empowerment is honestly one of my favourite things and I hope to see more of it as measures of equality continue to grow across the globe.
Conclusion
Altogether Ma ma is a spectacular film which tells a story rich with female character development and focus on the depth of forming an identity in an always changing world.
It speaks to many issues with understanding one's self and depicts the challenges of a woman maintaining self-pride under bleak circumstances.
Ma ma takes on a passionate storyline and is full of beautiful visuals, eye-catching drama and is held together with a stellar performance from Penélope Cruz.
It is a film that tells an honest and emotionally realistic story that you should definitely watch.
