Mother of Mine

The film spans multiple eras: the wartime years in Finland, the postwar period in Sweden, and the present-day framing of adult Eero's reflections. It shows how conflict forces families to separate, relocate, and reassemble across borders. Time moves from harsh winters and frontlines to quieter, rebuilt life, then to memory-filled present.

The story shifts between wartime Helsinki in Finland and a Swedish home in Skåne, highlighting a cross-border displacement of a child. The settings range from snowy Finnish streets to a snug Swedish household, illustrating cultural and language barriers. The locations are tied to the war's reach and the long shadow it casts on family ties.

🧭 Identity

Eero navigates double belonging, torn between his Finnish roots and his life in Sweden. Language barriers, cultural differences, and the longing for a steadfast place test his sense of self. The story tracks how identity evolves as he grows from a displaced child into an adult who reflects on where he truly belongs.

💔 Family

The movie centers on a fragile mother-son bond stretched by loss and separation. The death of Eero's father and Kirsti's depression reshape family dynamics, while the Swedish foster family provides a surrogate, yet imperfect, kinship. Affection gradually grows, redefining what family means.

⚔️ War

War acts as the catalyst for displacement and emotional rupture. The Winter War and Continuation War uproot children, force relocations, and set the stage for long-lasting emotional scars. The narrative uses war to explain the characters' guarded behavior and slow healing.

🤝 Reconciliation

Over time, boundaries soften as trust builds between Eero and his Swedish caregivers. Caregivers learn to understand the boy's pain, while he learns to accept care without fear of loss. The film culminates in a nuanced reconciliation between past loyalties and present attachments.