All About Mothers


All About Mothers is a 2018 French film written, directed and produced by Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar.

Plot summary

The film follows the interconnected lives of several women as they navigate the complexities of motherhood in contemporary France. The story centers around Anne, a working mother struggling to balance her career with family responsibilities, who finds herself questioning her choices as Mother's Day approaches.
Daphné represents the opposite end of the spectrum - a woman who has chosen to remain childless and faces societal pressure and judgment for her decision. Her path crosses with Nathalie, a single mother doing her best to raise her children alone while dealing with financial difficulties and the absence of their father.
Meanwhile, Isabelle grapples with the challenges of being a stepmother, trying to find her place in a blended family while dealing with the complexities of co-parenting. The older generation is represented by Thérèse and Ariane, who reflect on their own experiences of motherhood and the sacrifices they made for their children.
As Mother's Day approaches, these women's stories interweave in unexpected ways, revealing the universal struggles, joys, and sacrifices that define the maternal experience.

Production

The shooting of the film began on September 21, 2017. For the scenes shot at the Élysée Palace, President Emmanuel Macron and Élysée officials agreed to lend the hallway and the courtyard. President François Hollande had allowed director Mention-Schaar to visit his private apartments before he left office. Having realized these were Haussmann-style apartments, Mention-Schaar found smaller similar apartments for the shooting. The desk was recreated in a Paris hôtel particulier with a decorum similar to Élysée's.