Small Talk

A complex mother-daughter relationship slowly unfolds in this intimate, moving and multi-faceted documentary. For several years director Hui-chen Huang filmed her mother, Anu, a silent, austere woman whose face wears a constant frozen look. Anu had always been a tomboy and despite knowing she was not attracted to men she was forced to marry young, as was the custom in 1970s Taiwan. She bore two daughters, whom she took with her to work as a religious practitioner. What little money she earned was stolen by her violent husband. Following her divorce Anu appeared more interested in her many lovers than in her neglected daughters.
In Taiwanese culture, doubting the unconditional love of a mother is taboo; undaunted, Hui-chen Huang set out to do just that in the intimate portrayal she has created. She and her mother embark on a difficult journey into the past, during which they will come face to face with questions that have been tormenting Huang for Hui-chen for many years. She attempts to better understand her mother through conversations with the latter’s alienated brothers and former partners. As she goes along she creates a colorful, surprising story of a mother and daughter learning to know each other after too many years have passed. Prepare for an emotional time.