What to watch and read with Mama tonight
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What to watch on Mother’s Day: We’ve gathered our favorite picks of movies with interesting stories about motherhood, courtesy of all of us here at Enterprise HQ:
Unconventional types of motherhood: First off, Stepmom is a ‘90s drama film featuring Julia Roberts as the young soon-to-be stepmom of her husband’s children as his wife, Susan Sarandon, gets diagnosed with terminal cancer. The pair are understandably tense at first, but soon realize that the priority is ensuring the children are taken care of, with the film exploring the dynamic in a sad, but heartwarming way. Next up is The Blind Side, where Sandra Bullock and her family take in a black teenager deptly played by Quinton Aaron in a movie that shows that motherhood and family goes beyond race, age, and social norms. The film is based on a true story and is adapted from a book by the same name.
Being a mother in horrible circumstances: Room is another interesting take on motherhood, telling the true harrowing tale of a mother and son who are kidnapped and trapped in a room for seven years. Brie Larson took home an Oscar for her performance in this film as she raises her child in the room and guides them to freedom. TV series Maid is also a must-watch for its depiction of a mother who would do anything for her young daughter, always giving her love and understanding no matter what the circumstances are.
And being a mother even when it’s complicated: Maggie Gyllenhal’s adaptation of The Lost Daughter looks at how motherhood can be a bit complicated and “unconditional love” isn’t always the easiest thing to offer. Being a mother is often difficult and demanding and the film “challenges Hollywood’s frustratingly limiting portrayals of parenthood” by showing a mother who isn’t saintly or selfless, writes The Atlantic.
Being a single mother here in Egypt: Embratoreyat Meem features none other than the iconic Faten Hamama who plays Mona — a recent widow who is left with six children to raise alongside her job at the Education Ministry. As her children grow older, so do the problems they come to her with. However, Mona is resilient in the face of it all and finds a way to build a new family dynamic for her children.
Or being a super mom over in Korea: Aptly named Korean film Mother revolves around a son who is unjustly charged with murder. It’s up to his timid mother to gather all her courage and find the real killer to prove her son’s innocence.
⚽ After a busy football day yesterday, fans get to catch their breath for a few days, specifically until next Thursday, which will witness the World Cup qualifiers in Europe and Asia.
Friday is the most important date to look forward to: Egypt will meet Senegal in the first leg of the final stage of the African qualifiers for the World Cup.
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Catch Nathalie Bechara performing today at The Cairo Cellar in Zamalek at 9pm. Bechara sings a variety of different genres including jazz, bossa nova, pop, and indie.
Also: Celebrate Mother’s Day with a laser show at the Cairo Tower tonight.
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Some reads to celebrate Mama: There Are Girls Like Lions is a beautifully illustrated poetry collection of 30 poems that celebrate being a woman, from the likes of the late Mary Oliver and poet laureate Tracy K. Smith. Meanwhile, outspoken comedian and mother Ali Wong wrote a book called Dear Girls, in which she shares heartfelt and hilarious letters to her daughters including everything from the unpleasant details of dating to how to be a working mom in a male-dominated profession. Another humorous book for moms is #IMomSoHard, which sees Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley encourage moms to take some time for themselves and read up on the reality of motherhood, with all the good, the bad, and the icky.