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Mother's Child

Berlinale Shorts 2025
© Naomi Noir
Loving mother and full-time carer, every day is a battle for Mary. Wading through the bureaucratic mess that comes with caregiving has her isolated, unsupported and sleep deprived. Simultaneously, she struggles to fully understand her disabled, non-verbal son Murphy’s needs. After being dealt another blow by an obtuse administrator, reality begins to blur. Finding the beauty in the everyday has never been more challenging. A surreal animation to pay tribute to society’s true heroes, giving a voice to those who dedicate their lives to others.

Trailer/Film Excerpt

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by Naomi Noir (Director, Screenplay), Maya Devincenzi Dil (Screenplay)
with Maya Devincenzi Dil, Grace Kimasi, Phaedra Fidessa, James Alexander Hyslop, Eoghan Ruddy, Kris McDonald Netherlands 2024 English 9' Colour International premiere | Animation

With

  • Maya Devincenzi Dil (Mary)
  • Grace Kimasi (Murphy)
  • Phaedra Fidessa (Nancy)
  • James Alexander Hyslop (Jeffrey JR)
  • Eoghan Ruddy (Bartender Fred)
  • Kris McDonald (Sleep-Is-4-The-Meek-Mark)

Crew

Director Naomi Noir
Screenplay Naomi Noir, Maya Devincenzi Dil
Editing Maryam De Vries
Music Kris McDonald
Sound Design Sietske Brockhoff
Production Design Lenke Duyvendak, Elisa Draeger, Lilien Galgóczi
Casting Puck Vriens
Animation Naomi Noir, Lara Adriolo, Max Gierkink
Producer Naomi Noir
Executive Producers Naomi Noir, Sanne Versteeg

Produced by

Naomi Noir

Amsterdam, Netherlands

World Sales

SND Films

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Photos

Naomi Noir

© Luca Jubitana

The Dutch screenwriter, director and animator creates often absurdist works devoted to the inner worlds of her unique characters. Her films draw inspiration from pub tales, reality television and the painful topics most of us try to avoid.

Filmography (animated films)

2020 VPRO 2 Voor 12 „Maria Montessori“ (2 Minutes Before 12 “Maria Montessori”) 2022 Below The Spleenicle 2024 Mother’s Child

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025