The film “Earth Mama” is a coming-of-age story that follows a heavily pregnant woman named Gia, a single mother from the Bay Area, trying to navigate her family’s future. With two children in foster care and actively recovering from drug abuse, viewers feel the weight of Gia’s life problems as they simultaneously see her holding down a job, trying to take court-ordered courses, and being on time for contact sessions with her two foster children. Gia lives outside of a stable relationship as she resides with her older sister, but she makes it known that she is hyper-independent and her own big sister and protector.
Gia’s persona is one of intelligence and dignity, which may be too much for her own good. Gia undergoes unproductive behavior through very demanding situations in her life. Though that might make Gia seem unlikable, the audience feels a sense of empathy and understanding towards her. This creates an intimate charge for viewers as Savannah Leaf (Director) keeps reminding the audience of how women are trying to stay afloat when the world is trying to drown us. This is a quiet film that has a lot of emotional depth. The audience understands the portrait of motherhood through the warmth that fills the screen.
As Gia deeply resents the childcare authorities, the audience journeys through her feelings and big decisions. On top of her situation, her life comes to a crisis when she gives her third baby up for adoption, which her friend group does not support. The film gives us no easy answers to these big life moral problems. Foster care systems vs. Gia’s motherly, right? Abortion vs. adoption? Self-harm vs. living? We cling to hope for Gia because she is a survivor and a mirror to most women in our society today. This is important because she holds space for the audience to just simply feel.
Watch the trailer for “Earth Mama” here:
