Mamas & Papas

Running time: 100 mins

Though the thought of having a child can be a frightening thing, ?the fear of making a mistake is the greatest mistake of all.?

In present-day Czech Republic, four couples deal with the problems of parenting: when to have a child, whether to have a child, what to do if you suddenly find you?re going to have a child. Shot chronologically and completely without a script ? the actors never knew more than what their own characters knew, never knew what would come next ? Alice Nellis (Little Girl Blue, Cinequest 2008) has created a beautifully naturalistic atmosphere and coaxed lyric, even poetic, performances from her wonderful cast.

Mamas & Papas is a deeply moving film that avoids sentimentality, melodrama, kitsch and the overly obvious with grace, wit, beautiful camerawork and a delicate touch, as its characters strive to learn that ?love can only be given, we can only try for the good.?

- Charlie Cockey