Mothers (2010 film)
Mothers (Macedonian: Мајки / Majki) is a 2010 film by Milcho Manchevski. The internationally co-produced film is notable for its innovative use of fiction and documentary. Manchevski attributes his experiment to his interest in the blurring lines between truth and fiction, drama and documentary. The three stories focus on three aspects of life in contemporary Republic of Macedonia (a city, a small town and a deserted village). "Mothers", whose motto is “The Truth Hurts” explores the nature of truth – all three stories (two fiction and one documentary) are based on real events, but only one - the most  incredible - is told as documentary. This story examines the unsolved mystery of the Kichevo serial killer who murdered several retired cleaning women. A crime reporter who covered the stories was arrested, and two days later he was found dead with his head in a bucket of water. A suicide note was found in his cell. Mothers premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and had its European premiere in the Panorama section of the 61st Berlin International Film Festival. Premise. Three stories, all true, one real. Employing an innovative structure, the three stories in "Mothers" highlight the delicate relationship of truth  and fiction, of drama and documentary. What is the nature of truth? The film eschews neat narrative devices and pushes to confront their own definitions of filmic reality. Production. The film was written and directed by Milcho Manchevski, and produced by Christina Kallas. Vladimir Samoilovski was the director of photography, David Munns was the production designer, Zaklina Stojcevska edited the film, and the music was composed by Igor Vasilev and Novogradska. Principal photography took place in Mariovo, Macedonia, Kicevo, Macedonia, and Skopje, Macedonia. Awards. The film won the following awards: Critical reception. Rotten Tomatoes scored the film at 58%, with  an average score of 3.5/5. Alissa Simon writing in "Variety" said "There's a stew of ideas simmering in "Mothers," but unfortunately none of them emerge fully cooked". Natasha Senjanovic of "The Hollywood Reporter" said "Manchevski mixes fiction with documentary in a film that hits home on an emotional rather than intellectual level". Diego Pierini writing in LoudVision said "Mothers" is a very strange film, sometimes sophisticated, poignant and often elliptical.[...] One of the most interesting and original filmmakers of recent years [...] One of those authors who are not afraid to face the genres and to push the boundaries. Mothers