All About My Mother

All About My Mother

Year: 2021

Runtime: 120 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Tianyu Zhao

FamilyDrama

Ji Peizhen (Xu Fan) is the dedicated heart of her family, seemingly managing everything with effortless grace. Beneath the orderly facade of her home, however, lies a more complex reality. While she believes her daughter, Li Xiaomei, is exemplary, Xiaomei’s life in Beijing reveals a different side. Her husband, doctor Li Wengfan, struggles with a past mistake that prevents him from returning to his profession. Just as Ji Peizhen anticipates a peaceful retirement, she receives a devastating diagnosis: cancer, and only four months to live. The family must now grapple with how to navigate life in the face of such a profound loss.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen All About My Mother yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – All About My Mother (2021)

Trace every key event in All About My Mother (2021) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Esteban's death on his 17th birthday

On the night of Esteban's 17th birthday, he is struck and killed by a car after chasing his idol Huma Rojo following a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire. Manuela is devastated by the loss. She makes a life-changing decision: Esteban's heart will be donated to a recipient in A Coruña.

Night of Esteban's 17th birthday Madrid
2

Heart transplant and search for the recipient

Manuela allows Esteban's heart to be transplanted into a man in A Coruña. She tracks down the recipient and confronts the reality of what she has done. She resigns from her hospital job.

Shortly after Esteban's death A Coruña
3

Journey to Barcelona to find Lola

Driven by the need to locate Esteban's other mother, Lola, a transgender woman, Manuela travels to Barcelona. She keeps this mission secret from Esteban and leaves her hospital post behind.

Shortly after the transplant Barcelona
4

Reunions and new ties in Barcelona

In Barcelona, Manuela reconnects with Agrado and grows close to Huma, Nina, and Rosa. She becomes Huma's personal assistant and steps in as Nina's understudy during one of Nina's crises, while also helping Rosa during her pregnancy.

Soon after arriving Barcelona
5

Rosa's pregnancy and the park encounter

Rosa reveals her HIV-positive pregnancy. During a taxi ride, they stop at a park where Rosa spots her father and Sapic, the family dog. Sapic recognizes Rosa, while her father does not.

During their time in Barcelona Barcelona park
6

Rosa dies at birth; Lola reunion

Rosa dies giving birth to a healthy boy. At her funeral, Manuela finally reunites with Lola. The encounter deepens Manuela's sense of family and loss.

Rosa's death and funeral Barcelona
7

Lola's AIDS struggle and Esteban's story

Lola is dying from AIDS and speaks about wanting a son. Manuela tells Lola about Esteban and his fatal accident. The two women confront their shared past.

During Lola's illness Barcelona
8

Adopting Rosa's son

Manuela adopts Rosa's son and cares for him at Rosa's parents' house. The father doesn't recognize her, and Rosa's mother protests the arrangement. Manuela is introduced to the household as the new cook living there with the child.

After Rosa's death Rosa's parents' house
9

Confrontation and return to Madrid

Rosa's mother confronts Manuela about letting strangers see the baby and potential HIV risk. Deciding she cannot stay there any longer, Manuela flees back to Madrid with Esteban.

After the confrontation Madrid
10

A letter of goodbye

Back in Madrid, Manuela writes a letter to Huma and Agrado, apologizing for not saying goodbye years before. The letter marks a quiet, unresolved farewell and sets the stage for what comes next.

After returning to Madrid Madrid
11

Two years later: returning to Barcelona with Esteban

Two years pass and Manuela returns to Barcelona with Esteban, who remains healthy and AIDS-free. She informs Huma and Agrado that she will stay with Esteban's grandparents. The reunion signals a new chapter in their intertwined lives.

Two years later Barcelona
12

AIDS convention reunion and Nina's update

At an AIDS convention in Barcelona, Manuela reunites with Huma and Agrado and explains her decision to stay with Esteban's grandparents. Agrado shares news about Nina: she left Huma, returned to her hometown, married, and now has a son.

Two years later Barcelona

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:24

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Explore Movie Threads

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Movies about chosen families like All About My Mother

Stories where strangers become family through shared grief and unwavering care.If you liked the supportive circle of friends in All About My Mother, you'll find similar movies here. These films explore how found families form through shared hardship, offering stories of deep connection, mutual support, and resilience in the face of life's challenges.

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Movies in this thread share a focus on non-biological kinship, a melancholic yet tender tone, and heavy emotional weight derived from themes of loss and acceptance. They are united by the emotional journey from isolation to belonging.

Solemn movies about grief like All About My Mother

Quiet, reflective stories about navigating the overwhelming landscape of loss.For viewers who appreciated the profound examination of loss in All About My Mother, this section collects similar films. These movies offer a steady, reflective pace and a heavy emotional weight, portraying grief not as a plot point but as the central, transformative experience of the story.

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Narrative Summary

The journey begins with a seismic emotional event, such as a death, that shatters the protagonist's world. The plot then follows their internal and external struggle, often involving new responsibilities or encounters that force them to engage with life again, leading to a bittersweet resolution built on irreversible loss.

Why These Movies?

This grouping is defined by a consistently melancholic tone, high emotional intensity, and a steady, contemplative pacing that allows the weight of grief to be fully felt. The narratives prioritize emotional authenticity over dramatic action.

Unlock the Full Story of All About My Mother

Don't stop at just watching — explore All About My Mother in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what All About My Mother is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

All About My Mother Summary

Read a complete plot summary of All About My Mother, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

All About My Mother Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in All About My Mother

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape All About My Mother. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in All About My Mother

All About My Mother Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of All About My Mother that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

All About My Mother Spoiler-Free Summary

More About All About My Mother

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