Experiencing Interruptions?

motherhood

When a woman desperate to connect with her husband is hindered by their unwanted child, dire consequences unfold.

Cat is a young mother who adores her husband, Phillip. But she holds a grudge against Tommy, their unruly five-year-old, for being the cause of Phillip’s declining love and attention. One day she finds herself empowered to end her misery with one single act.

  • David Tyson Lam
    Director
    Viral Beauty; Privileged
  • Edna Luise Biesold
    Writer
    3 Monkeys; Zeitlang; The Color of Time
  • Casey Killoran
    Producer
    Viral Beauty; Privileged
  • Edna Luise Biesold
    Producer
    Zeitlang; Sunscreen; The Molok; The Color of Time
  • Marc Menchaca
    Key Cast
    "Phillip"
    American Rust; Ozark; Black Mirror; The Sinner; She's Lost Control; This Is Where We Live; Homeland
  • Casey Killoran
    Key Cast
    "Cat"
    FBI: Most Wanted; New Amsterdam; Viral Beauty; Shades of Blue; Sex and the City
  • Zealand Tallman
    Key Cast
    "Tommy"
    Life Like, Kids Try (viral series)
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Women, Drama, Suspense
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 20, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    14,828 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 2K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Twister Alley Film Festival
    Woodward, Oklahoma
    April 30, 2020
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Woods Hole Film Festival
    Wood Hole, Massachusetts
    July 25, 2020
    East Coast Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Long Island International Film Expo
    Bellmore, New York
    September 30, 2020
    Official Selection
  • SENE Screenwriting Contest
    Providence, Rhode Island
    October 13, 2020
    Official Selection
  • SOHO International Film Festival
    New York, NY
    October 15, 2020
    New York City Premiere
    Official Selection
  • The Yonkers Film Festival
    Yonkers, New York
    November 6, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition
    New York, NY
    November 13, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Lonely Wolf International Film Festival
    online
    December 22, 2020
    Nominee: Best Short Film; Production Design
  • HollyShorts Monthly Screenings
    Sherman Oaks, California
    May 28, 2021
    Winner: Audience Choice Award
  • Roosevelt Island Film Festival
    New York, NY
    June 25, 2021
    Official Selection
Director - David Tyson Lam
Director Statement

'Motherhood' is a nuanced portrait of a suburban woman imploding from the choices she has made to become a mother and the lack of intimacy she feels from her husband. The film explores the emptiness of living a life where your desires are only ever half met. With Cat, the main character of the film, we see this in her family life, in which she's deeply in love with her husband, but equally strongly dislikes her child. The film offers no easy solutions to such a conundrum, and it's unclear in modern family life how to resolve such a conflict. Directing 'motherhood' and investing in its touchy subject matter has raised questions about the personal sacrifice it takes to be both a good partner, but also what it takes to be a good caregiver, and whether or not these things are in fact mutually exclusive.