Hello,
Netlix has a documentary titled LOOK AT US NOW MOTHER. Its about an adult woman trying to understand and reconcile her tumultuous relationship with her Mother. The filmmaker Gayle Kirschenbaum also has a website with guidance, advice and she does speaking on the subject. If you sign up on her website, she will send you a pdf with her seven steps to reconciliation. A trailer and information can be found here:
https://www.lookatusnowmother.com/After I watched it, I liked it, but this morning, I woke up and felt very angry about it (and that was before I read the reconciliation steps). What angered me was that her mother is mildly annoying and while I don't want to diminish her pain of her issues with her mother, proposing forgiveness and reconciliation for people who suffered more and choose not to reconcile is inappropriate and sometimes offensive. Kirschenbaum is not a credentialed professional and is basing her advice and guidance entirely on her own experience (again, much of which is not relevant to more severe abuse). What was also sad for me, was that here is another accomplished professional (in my field of TV/Film) who is still a wounded adult. She never seemed to overcome the issues enough to be in a relationship and let her family be in the background. Anyway, I share this for those who will find it interesting, but be aware it may also be triggering as it was for me.
That said, as a movie, its interesting and entertaining. Gayle Kirschenbaum (the adult woman/filmmaker) is an excellent storyteller and its rich with family history, societal construct information, humor and lots of honesty. It takes courage to make an autobiographical film and expose your vulnerabilities and conflicts.
Its on Netflix and a few other outlets. I look forward to any comments you may have!
