Directed by Johnny Ma, The Mother and the Bear is an unexpected and charmingly whimsical dramedy that follows Sara, a traditional South Korean mother who rushes to wintry Winnipeg after her adult daughter falls into a coma.
Finding herself completely out of her element, Sara decides to learn about her distant daughter by secretly taking over her online dating profile to find her a suitable Korean husband.
Led by a brilliant, deeply committed performance from Kim Ho-jung, the film balances eccentric situational comedy—including a hilarious accidental weed-gummy incident—with a touching, late-in-life romance between Sara and a lonely local restaurateur.
This Korean movie gracefully explores heavy themes like immigrant isolation, generational divides, and the painful process of learning when to let your adult children lead their own lives. Backed by a vibrant electronic score and visually striking cinematography that highlights the biting chill of its Canadian setting, it is a deeply human, heartwarming feature.
Comedy, Drama
Canada, Chile (English, Korean) 1h 40m (100 min)
