Waves Turn Captures Motherhood's Exhausting, Joyful Realities

Josephine Ahnelt's documentary "Waves Turn" (original title "Wellen/Wende") offers an intimate and truthful exploration of the first year of motherhood, challenging idealized portrayals often seen in art. The film features five women who agreed to be filmed during their most vulnerable moments, presenting a nuanced perspective that encompasses exhaustion, joy, boredom, and wonder. Ahnelt employs a home-video intimacy, shooting in 16mm with a close-up camera style that focuses on specific, often overlooked details of infant care, such as a mother meticulously snipping her baby's tiny fingernails. This approach contrasts sharply with traditional artistic depictions of motherhood, such as the Renaissance "Madonna and Child" imagery.

One notable artistic reference within the film is Judith Rohrmoser's self-portrait, which is described as a defiant response to sanitized depictions of motherhood. In Rohrmoser's painting, her baby is shown contentedly breastfeeding, while the artist herself, wearing headphones and looking directly at the viewer, conveys a complex emotional state that could suggest grief or the profound realization that everything has changed. This artistic element underscores the documentary's central theme: that new motherhood is not a perpetual state of bliss, but rather a multifaceted experience filled with a wide spectrum of emotions and physical demands. The film aims to capture these raw, unvarnished realities, moving beyond idealized notions to present a more authentic representation of the maternal journey.

Ahnelt's directorial approach prioritizes a gentle yet honest tone, allowing the subjects' experiences to unfold naturally. The documentary's visual style, characterized by its 16mm format and intimate camerawork, enhances the sense of personal revelation and shared experience among the featured mothers. By focusing on the granular details of daily life with a newborn, "Waves Turn" provides viewers with a visceral understanding of the challenges and profound moments that define this transformative period. The film's title, "Waves Turn," itself suggests the cyclical and often overwhelming nature of maternal emotions and responsibilities, as well as the potential for transformation and growth.

The documentary's strength lies in its commitment to depicting the full spectrum of new motherhood, acknowledging both the profound love and the immense difficulties involved. It serves as a counterpoint to romanticized narratives, offering a more grounded and relatable portrayal for audiences. The film's artistic merit is highlighted by its ability to evoke empathy and understanding for the experiences of these five women, making it a significant contribution to documentaries exploring the complexities of family and personal identity. The home-movie aesthetic, combined with Ahnelt's sensitive direction, creates a powerful and touching cinematic experience that resonates with the lived realities of many mothers.