Mother of Mine (2005)

In the harsh war-torn backdrop of Fennoscandia, 1943, unfolds the poignant narrative of "Mother of Mine". Amid the chaos of World War II, over 70,000 Finnish children were dispatched to the safety of neutral Sweden, away from the heartbreak of conflict. Among them is nine-year-old Eero, a boy grappling with the loss of his father and the upheaval of his life. Transplanted into the cold embrace of his foster mother Signe, Eero feels like a fish out of water. Signe, still mourning the loss of her daughter who tragically drowned, initially struggles to extend a welcoming hand to Eero. Her yearning for a daughter is palpable, and Eero's presence only seems to twist the knife of her loss further. However, the icy barrier between them starts to thaw when Eero's biological mother reveals her plans to move to Germany with her lover, leaving Eero in Signe's care. As Eero becomes Signe's surrogate son, a tender bond blossoms. He befriends a little girl named Siv, and for a fleeting moment, the innocence of childhood prevails over the grim shadow of war. Yet, this respite is short-lived as the end of the war forces Eero back to Finland, to a mother who feels more like a stranger. Eero's journey unfolds over six decades, culminating at Signe's funeral. As he sifts through a lifetime of letters, a revelation awaits him - an understanding that both women, in their unique ways, strived to shield him from the war's brutalities. From the acclaimed director Klaus Härö, "Mother of Mine" is a heartrending exploration of motherhood, childhood, and the sacrifices made in the name of love, set against a backdrop of a world in turmoil. The film navigates the intricate maze of emotions, leaving the viewers to ponder - what does it truly mean to be a mother, and where does one find home when torn between two worlds?

Mother of Mine is a drama movie featuring Topi Majaniemi and directed by Klaus Härö.

Mother of Mine is currently streaming on Film Movement Plus.