maternal ambivalence

Her films like 'You Were Never Really Here' and 'A Woman Under the Influence' explore the psychological complexity and tension between maternal duty and personal identity.

His brutally honest narratives, particularly in '4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days,' examine the moral and emotional conflicts inherent in maternal choices and reproductive autonomy.

Films like 'Whale Rider' and 'Maari' delve into the generational transmission of ambivalence, depicting mothers torn between tradition, survival, and their children's futures.