MOTHERS are expected to be caretakers in family units. Due to familial and societal expectations, they are required to fulfil the role of a nurturing parent. But what happens when mothers defy what is expected of them?
Rather than solely fulfilling the responsibility of caring for their family, can mothers strive to realise their dreams,? This is Joey Lee Choi Kin’s dilemma in her first feature film My Parents’ Midlife Crisis. The 38-year-old director explores the complexity of family relationships and the desire for self-discovery during a midlife crisis.
Lee dives into this through three of the movie’s main characters – 13-year-old Velonica (Cheryl Foong), father David (Douglas Lim) and mother Sandra (Jojo Goh). Velonica, who helps run her family’s struggling motel, is caught between her conservative father and her discontented mother.
When Sandra inherits her late brother’s bike and unexpectedly wins a race, she develops an interest in cycling. This threatens David as Sandra devotes more time to her newfound hobby, upending their family dynamics.
This leaves Velonica and David to decide whether they will support Sandra’s new passion or fight to ensure she fulfils her motherly duties.
