Oh Mother of Mine

A Reclusive Woman living in filth reconnects with her Estranged Daughter, who has become a successful novelist. A tense reunion turns scathing when she suspects her daughter of ulterior motives.

  • Alex Koebke
    Director
  • Alex Koebke
    Writer
  • Emily Willson-Quayle
    Writer
  • Negan Fu
    Producer
  • Emily Willson-Quayle
    Producer
  • Raia Jane Sullivan-Hirsch
    Key Cast
    "Danielle"
  • Catherine Ivy
    Key Cast
    "Janine"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 14 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital (BRAW)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Savannah College of Art and Design
Director Biography - Alex Koebke

Alex Koebke is a writer/director from Northern Virginia. Since he was a young boy, Alex was passionate about telling stories on screen. He even used to carry around VHS tapes instead of stuffed animals. Once enrolled at SCAD, Alex’s productions slowly grew from homegrown movies starring his sisters to the $15k budget of his senior thesis film, “It’s a Privilege”. To date, Alex has written, directed, and edited over half a dozen short films. His official debut short film, Alien, premiered in beloved local arthouse theater, Cinema Arts, before a screening of Tenet (dir. Christopher Nolan). Alex now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, working as a Location Scout on feature films. He aspires to direct his first feature in 2024.

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Director Statement

I started writing “Oh Mother of Mine” as a story between a mother and a daughter because my previous short featured a father and a son. In the very first draft of “Oh Mother of Mine”, my favorite part of the film where Danielle tapes Janine’s book back together piece by piece, was not included. Originally, Danielle threw Janine’s book into the fire - an irredeemable action that she could only try to atone for by sending her the money she originally promised, but this all seemed too cold for an ultimately warm-hearted story. Co-writer Emily Willson-Quayle suggested that Danielle tear the book up, and later piece it back together. This was what we were looking for, a moment that perfectly reflects their relationship: moments of hate punctuated by moments of kindness.

Danielle has so much jealousy toward her daughter, who has become everything she wanted to be but had to give up. Danielle secretly resents Janine for taking her dreams away, and deals with her hatred by drinking. Janine reacts with an addiction to pills. When Janine became financially independent, she decided not to abandon her mom, but her lifestyle got the better of her, and she realized there’s only one place she can go. Danielle, as sad as it makes her, knows that too.

But underneath their toxicity, they love each other. Danielle, despite her flaws, wants what’s best for Janine, gave her an upbringing, passed on her skills as a writer. Janine wants to feel the love and security of her mother. Their complex relationship is summed up perfectly in this one action of Danielle piecing the book back together: constantly tearing her daughter down, then building her back up.