You Are Not My Mother (2021)

In a North Dublin housing estate Char’s mother goes missing. When she returns Char is determined to uncover the truth of her disappearance and unearth the dark secrets of her family.You Are Not My Mother: An Irish film steeped in Folklore which also explores the issues of mental illness and bullying. Char (Hazel Doupe) is academically bright but bullied at school, her mother, Angela Carolyn Bracken), who is bipolar disappears. She returns after a few days but will not say where she was, Her behaviour changes, she becomes elated, threatening, violent, even homicidal. Char’s grandmother, Rita (Ingrid Craigie) sees this as being due to something other than a manic phase. Throughout the film Rita is seen making amulets constructed of twigs and herbs to ward off evil. In the opening scene she performs a ritual involving Char as a baby. The narrative is unsettling from beginning to end as the sense of dread builds. While most of the horror is psychological there are some unsettling scenes involving creatures from the other realm but unsurprisingly the mundane bullying of char by other teens are perhaps the most disturbing. Great performances by Diupe, Craigie, Bracken and Jordanne Jones as Suzanne, a bully turned friend. Reminiscent (in different ways) of Outcast, The Hole In The Ground and The Wicker Man; even the song Elf Call by Steeleye Span but it’s very much it’s own film. Written and Directed by Kate Dolan in her triumphant debut as a feature Director. 8/10.