Earth Mama is a beautiful and raw insight into the trials of motherhood and the unforgiving nature of navigating the underbelly of society as a black woman weaving through multiple transitions in life. Written and directed by Savanah Leaf, based on her short film ‘The Heart Still Hums’, Earth Mama was named one of the top 10 independent films of 2023 by the National Board of Review and through watching the movie I understood why.
Savanah Leaf directs a very culturally delicate story in a quiet but equally impactful manner, shown through the beauty of the film’s cinematography by Jody Lee Lipes. Not a single shot was wasted and it had me sneakily taking pictures of my favorite sequences (shhh don’t tell the Ritzy). I also love how the film is shot on 16mm Kodak Motion Picture Film adding to the overall coming-of-age theme explored throughout the movie. The emotions conveyed through the decision to shoot the movie on film paired with the exploration of the harsh realities of ‘adulting’ offer a striking contrast, leaving a deeper imprint on the viewer, almost forcing them to feel each moment of Gia’s story as if it were their own.
Earth Mama is insightful and challenges my perspective of grief, the crucial importance of the black nuclear family, and the impacts of generational cycles through the perspectives shown, as Gia played by Tia Nomore bears her hurt, happiness, and internal conflict on screen in a very moving performance.
It is Savanah Leaf’s debut feature-length film backed by A24, Film4 and We are parable and she deserves all the support.
Earth Mama, out now at selected cinemas.
Written by Ishmael Zach.
