The Mother and the Bear

When her adult daughter Sumi has a nasty fall and winds up comatose in the hospital, Sara (Kim Ho-jung) flies from her home in South Korea to Winnipeg. Though stymied by the language, appalled at the weather, and baffled by the local customs, this excitable matriarch is not about to shirk her duties: while Sumi lies prone in the hospital, Sara proceeds to organize her child’s apartment, takes control of her smartphone, creates a Tinder profile for her, and zeroes in on a potential Korean husband.

A change of pace for Old Stone director Johnny Ma, this lively crowd-pleaser plays up cultural differences to hilarious effect. But as it becomes evident how little Sumi has shared of her Canadian life with Sara, the film finds its emotional centre in a touching, empathetic take on mother-daughter angst. Kim is terrific in the lead role, and there are lovely turns by Lee Won-Jae as a middle-aged restaurant owner and Jonathan Kim as his dashing son, whom Sara views as perfect marriage material. Fans of Minari and Riceboy Sleeps, take note.

Surprisingly funny and emotionally honest… playful and rewarding.

Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire

Writer and director Johnny Ma delivers an exemplary film. The Mother and the Bear contains a deceptively simple premise executed beautifully, filling the screen with gentle and warm humour while also balancing universal themes of hope, family and belonging… A hidden gem.

Rachel Ho, Exclaim!

The Mother and the Bear is a charming, whimsical story brimming with enduring adventures and self-discovery. It is an endearing film rife with warmth and spirit.

Kristy Strouse, Film Inquiry