The eighth look at one of my favorite movie moms. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are here)

Gilberte Doinel in Francois Truffaut’s The 400 Blows

She is definitely one of cinemas worst moms (in a conventional sense) but the scene where Antione Doinel tells his teacher that his mother is dead is without a doubt one of the most memorable in cinema history. The 400 Blows wouldn’t be the same without it’s antagonist and if you’re a Truffaut and French New Wave lover, you probably can’t help but think that if Truffaut’s mother (who he based Gilbrete Doinel on) wasn’t so awful, that he might not have needed to escape into the cinema.. And that would have been a terrible thing.

And on the note of kids watching movies, to learn about Facet’s Chicago International Children’s Film Festival Young Critics Camp! And definitely click click click to see some great scenes from the film.

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The seventh look at one of my favorite movie moms. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are here)

Mabel Longhetti in John Cassavetes’ A Woman Under the Influence

While she won’t win any mother of the year awards, Mabel Longhetti is one of my all time favorite movie characters. Gena Rowlands gives the performance of a life time as a mother at her wits end, a free spirit that can no longer deal with the responsibilities of everyday life. How her family deals with her “outbursts” and unique personality makes for a great movie (as does Peter Falk, who will appear on my favorite movie dads list).

and learn about After School Matters, a program that not only engages kids after school but also gives moms a break (if they need it!) and click click to see a great scene from the movie.

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The sixth look at one of my favorite movie moms. (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are here)

Charlotte Andergast in Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata

The ultimate in mother movies, Bergman takes his namesake, Ingrid Bergman and makes her a mother you can’t soon forget. Ingrid’s Charlotte is a woman who gave up her family in order to have a music career and Liv Ullman plays her oldest daughter. When Charlotte pays a visit to Ullman’s house, the two share a night of emotional revelation that is amazing yet emotionally draining to watch. Combined with the striking visuals and colors of the film, Autumn Sonata will stay with you for some time.

to learn how you can ensure that kids across the country continue to have music in their classrooms (perhaps this would have helped Ullman’s character in the scene below the fold - you should really watch it!)

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The fifth look at one of my favorite movie moms. (1, 2, 3 and 4 are here)

Jeanne Dielman in Chantal Akerman’s Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

The most worthwhile thing I could say about this film is see it! Akerman’s film showcases the routine and daily life of a widow who takes care of her young adult son. The film is not about plot, it’s a character study of the highest order. Watching Delphine Seyrig’s Dielman is memorizing with seemingly meaningless moments inspiring gasps from the audience. It’s also makes a point on what it means to be a housewife and makes you sit with the routines that many of our mother’s no doubt went through (and some mothers today still go through).

to learn how you can compost all the potato skins you peel (and look below the fold to see an amazing two minutes from the film - and to understand why I mentioned potatoes above!)

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The fourth look at one of my favorite movie moms. (1, 2 and 3 are here)

Mother Kusters in Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Mother Kusters Goes to Heaven

Fassbinder’s film about a German women whose husband kills his boss at the factory where he works before killing himself is filled with ideas of motherhood. After the death of her husband, Frau Kusters has to contend not only with the media but also with how her children respond to the media (not so well it turns out, 1 of her adult children leaves, while the other uses the situation to become famous). Not to mention that her search for meaning related to her husband’s death leads her straight to the Communist Party. Also, nobody beats Brigitte Mira!

to learn about widownet, a site that helps widows and widowers deal with their grief, and click click click for an interesting video tribute to Mother Kusters

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The third look at one of my favorite movie moms. (Here’s the first, here’s the second)

Mdme. Chevalier in Louis Malle’s Murmur of the Heart

A coming of age story that could only be French, Malle’s Murmur tells the story of Laurent, a young boy dealing with adolescence and a mother that likes to smother. The two get to spend some quality time together when she him for a rest-cure for his heart murmur at a very conventional spa. There Laurent deals with how to lose his virginity and not how one might expect. Happy Mother’s Day indeed.

to learn more about heart murmurs and children and click click click to watch a trailer for the film..

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