Earth Mama
Fiction, 2023, 101′
13/03 Thu | 21h30 | Room 3
Written and Directed by Savanah Leaf
Cinematography Jody Lee Lipes
Cast Tia Nomore, Erika Alexander
The clinical, almost documental eye, with which Savanah Leaf observes Gia, a pregnant single mother whose children are under Social Services, is surprising in its sensitivity and authenticity, especially keeping in mind that it is a directorial debut. A big part of the film´s success, is due to the priceless collaboration by Tia Nomore, a rapper from Oakland, also making her debut in film, who plays Gia without concealing her imperfections and without giving in to sentimentality. Earth Mama is a hard yet delicate film about the difficulties of being a mother in a poor black community with no illusions. Outstanding Debut Award (BAFTA); Sundance, New Directors/New Films, London, Jerusalem, Munich, Torino (Official Selection); nomination for best first feature and best breakthrough performance (Independent Spirit Awards) (2023)
The clinical, almost documentary look with which Savanah Leaf observes Gia, a pregnant single mother with her children in charge of social services, surprises by its sensitivity and authenticity, especially considering that it is a directorial debut. Much of the film’s success is due to the precious collaboration of Tia Nomore, a rapper from Oakland, also a newcomer to the cinema, who plays Gia, not hiding her imperfections and without concessions to sentimentality. Earth Mama is a hard and delicate film about the difficulties of motherhood in the impoverished black community without illusions.