Queens World Film Festival / Newlyn Film Festival 2019 – 帰省 (Back Home)
Back Home is an autobiographical documentary about the filmmaker’s heart-rending personal journey to reconcile with her estranged mother, who is about to undergo hip surgery in Tokyo. Upon the directors arriving home, the story explores the complexity of the Mother-Daughter relationship, which is filmed mostly by the director herself.
Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Haruka Motohashi
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I wanted to make a film that reflected on Japanese culture and my memories about home since I moved to the US several years ago. I had not returned there for a long time. I also wanted to make a universal story about a mother-daughter relationship by documenting my own journey that seeks reconciliation with my mother.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because not everyone can get along with their family and be a part of a completely happy family. My film can be a good reminder; and these stories are very personal.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I tried to shoot the subjects as truthfully as possible, so I kept the camera rolling, and the camera was able to capture the tensions of two women spending time together at home. In the edit, I aimed to show and not tell the story as much as possible so that the audience - by being an observer - can feel the emotions of what is happening between my mother and me. I think those efforts made Back Home more universal than just my own personal story.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Because this is a non-fiction film, even if there is a deep contemplation by the subjects, by nature the events unfolding in front of the camera are unexpected. The climactic scene of Back Home wasn't an exception...no one expected the tragic outcome. And yet, this scene reveals what’s at the core of my relationship with my mother, even though this last event seems tragic. This evolution has become the main theme of Back Home.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
One of the reactions I usually get is that Back Home is a touching story because it reminds audiences of their own relationships with their mother. Female audiences, especially, have told me that they recalled their own difficult relationships with their own mothers while watching my film.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback that surprised me the most was that some audiences started talking about their personal stories, and those stories have given me strength.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I'd like to deliver Back Home to larger audiences, for instance by using streaming services in the future.
Also, my personal wish is to show this to some art film lovers at the theater, library, school, and within local communities.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Sales agents, buyers and distributors
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Back Home resonates with individuals and gives a chance to the audiences to reflect on their relationship with their family and loved ones.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What if the mother passes away? Is this film a fiction or a documentary? How does the mother-daughter relationship change after the filming?
Would you like to add anything else?
I will carry on developing my style in imagery and narrative, so please stay tuned!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am writing a story about a Japanese woman who experienced regrettable past events and the ambivalent reasons why she made those decisions.
Interview: March 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
帰省 (Back Home)
Back Home is an autobiographical documentary about the filmmaker’s heart-rending personal journey to reconcile with her estranged mother, who is about to undergo hip surgery in Tokyo. Upon the directors arriving home, the story explores the complexity of the Mother-Daughter relationship, which is filmed mostly by the director herself.
Length: 12:50
Director: Haruka Motohashi
Producer: Haruka Motohashi, Min Min Hein
Writer: Haruka Motohashi
About the writer, director and producer:
HARUKA MOTOHASHI is a NY based filmmaker from Tokyo. Her MFA thesis film at the City College of New York, Back Home has been screened nationally internationally at numerous film festivals, including Women Over 50 Film Festival (London, UK). Her works interweave intimate, personal, and family memories with deeply artistic visuals. She also studied writing for moving images at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, which is known for experimental film-making. During her time there, she developed her writing style for moving images, including documentary, hybrid, and autobiographical films.
MIN MIN HEIN is a documentary film-maker and co-producer of Back Home. His short documentary won and was screened at many film festivals. His is currently working on his first feature film about traditional dancers of Myanmar.
Key cast: Toyoko Motohashi (Subject of Doc), Haruka Motohashi (Subject of Doc)
Looking for: sales agents, distributors, journalists, buyers
Facebook: Back Home; Haruka Motohashi
Instagram: @harukakana
Other: IMDB; Vimeo; City College of New York
Made in association with: the City College of New York
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Queens World Film Festival, Queens NY, 29 Mar; Newlyn Film Festival, Penzance, UK, 5-7 Apr.