MOTHer ROCKers premiered at the Cameo in Belgrave this rainy Sunday 30 November, and Star Mail were invited along to experience a never-before-seen Director’s Cut documentary telling the heartfelt story behind an all-Mum band that formed in the Yarra Ranges earlier this year.
Shot primarily on mobile phones, the documentary was filmed by Dr Robyn Mansfield and edited by Damien Rundell and tells the story behind local mums answering the call to arms at what seemed like an outlandish idea at first – an all-mums rock band.
The 1.5-hour film included deleted scenes and culminated in the MOTHer ROCKers performing at the Sooki Lounge in July.
In the film, we discover MOTHS Founder Belinda Young drove the idea at first, speaking through social media to the large online community about an idea to perform an all Mum gig at an upcoming Parents Battle of the Bands event, which in the past had often been dominated by some very cool muso Dads, but … not very many Mums.
With moments of vulnerability shared over a cuppa, the film delves into parenthood and identity and the real-life stories of local parents who, to varying degrees, have found themselves lost in the grind of bringing up their kids.
Carving out time on Sunday, the Mothers began to pick up instruments long left behind and tap into their creativity together, coming from a variety of backgrounds.
Some were new to the Hills and looking for connection, while others were in transitional moments in their lives.
As a parent myself, I could relate to a lot of the stories told in the film, and found myself wanting a little more directness – don’t skate around the topic, ladies, let me have it!
Motherhood does put the brakes on a personal project or two, and it was a joy to see the women come together and realise that doing something for themselves not only helped them, but everyone around them.
I was touched by the smiles and solemn moments offered as the Mums confessed the fun of connecting, learning and creating with other people who understood what parenthood was about.
The mothers spoke about identity loss, ageing parents, neurodiversity and more, touching on growing older and being overlooked in today’s world.
Overcoming nerves, the group got to opening night and clad in gold, glitter and black performed arrangements of the well-known pop songs, Valerie by Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse, Rover Deep, Mountain High by Tina Turna and U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.
Getting up on a stage and performing is no small feat, and the MOTHer ROckers should be proud of themselves.
Hopefully, we can see them perform again in the future.
I give the film a solid 5 MOTHer ROCkers out of 5…
