MAVERICK MOTHER

REVIEWS

Jane Mattes – writer and founder of SMC Single Mothers by Choice NY.
‘Loved your film! I was so delighted to see your take on the single mother of today. "Maverick Mother" presents a single woman's journey to become a mom in a light-hearted yet ultimately touching and serious way, with appreciation both for the opportunity to become a single mom and for the real challenges involved in making that choice. You're a very creative film-maker, and I can see why the film won so many awards.’

TIDF International Jury Statement  -  Supriyo Sen, Stefan Tolz, Wu Mi-Sen
‘With a humorous and engaging narrative, the filmmaker tells her very personal story of
becoming a single mother. Blending serious moments and comical situations of her life
with surrealistic photo-montage episodes, Janet Merewether frequently expands the
borders of documentary.’
Winner -  Jury Special Mention – Taiwan International Documentary Festival 2008
Winner – Audience Award - Taiwan International Documentary Festival 2008

Inside the experience of living
Keith Gallasch admires Janet Merewether’s Maverick Mother
‘Baroque is the right word for this film, it’s neat chronological structure, its tri-partite framing and witty fantasy-making and, as with the best Baroque music, the emotional power unleashed by careful, ostensibly casual crafting by writer-director, cinematographers, composer, editor and production and post production designers collaborating seamlessly.’
Realtime 85 – Onscreen p 17, Keith Gallasch
http://www.realtimearts.net/article/issue85/9023

5 stars – Pick of the Day
‘Historically you couldn’t be a single woman and raise a child. Here is a documentary that blends traditional storytelling and horror reconstructions to crack that time-honoured myth. One single woman’s attempt at becoming a mother raises the contentious debate of the value and need for a father figure in a child’s life… Janet’s story blossoms into a frantic and funny tale challenging the archetypal nuclear family. Fascinating.’
Time Out Sydney - 30/1/08 p82 Ellice Mol

Future Families: Maverick Mother
‘What’s a lass without a regular source of semen to do? Merewether shies from nothing in this experimental excursion into the conception of her son. Merewether analyses the role of the father in modern families against the figure of her own father, an unapologetic relic of a bygone era. The Howards will no doubt switch channels rather than watch this heresy…but others might find its candour and emotional honesty – plus an undeniable case of the warm fuzzies that future generations are in pretty safe hands with mums like these - rather appealing.’
Age - Green Guide p34 & Sydney Morning Herald Entertainment 31/1/08 Larissa Dubecki
http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv-reviews/future-families-maverick-mother/2008/01/31/1201714129893.html

Television - Maverick Mother
..this is a frank, funny and brutally honest look a the life of single mother Janet Merewether…A revealing and at times gory (birth, baby poo and spew – it’s all here) look at one woman’s bold, emotional and some will say controversial approach to parenthood, lightened by an at times comic approach.’
West Australian – Seven Days 26/1/08 p38

Sugar and spice and all things biological
‘As a bold illustration of the dilemma of some women – keen to have babies but with no eligible, willing men in sight – this documentary comes up trumps..’
Weekend Australian – Review 26/1/08 p38 Jill Rowbotham

Encore Magazine November 2007 p33
'Merewether Tackles Solo Motherhood on Screen'
Article by Peter Galvin

Screenrights - Off the Air - December 2008
'A Camera in the Kitchen - Making Maverick Mother'. Article by Georgia Blain
'Taking out two of this year's Enhance TV ATOM
awards, Janet Merewether's very personal
Maverick Mother is proving to be a program that
resonates with audiences and educators..'

AUDIENCE RESPONSE

I feel like someone has made a film of my experience - wow!

I wanted to drop by and say "good on you mate!". How fantastic and I was simply so impressed with your story and the strength of your conviction and your sheer tenacity
to have your own child.

Fabulous viewing.

I loved it - I switched channels and saw a natural birth happening and I was hooked! You are an impressive, passionate, loving amazing mum.

I had mixed emotions as I was watching your unique story and this wonderfully made documentary; I laughed and cried - got anxious and felt relieved. But as I turned the T.V. off at the end of it, I had this massive smile on my face: I felt liberated from my fears of being a solo ‘woman’ for the rest of my life.

I LOVED IT !!! I hope it is repeated again soon. Your down to earth, warm and very honest approach made this compelling viewing.

I really loved your film and got an insight into why childbirth and child rearing is so special to most women.

Hey there super mum, your flick was just fab!

You handled the material beautifully - with such a lightness of touch - even though it must have been some of the hardest stuff to deal with…- one's own strong emotions, intimate family relationships and challenging one's parents view of the world. 

I have just watched the lovely, brave, touching story of Arlo’s first year for the first time and I laughed and cried. Janet, you are brave and gutsy and your little man is so gorgeous…To have been brave enough to put this on film was quite wonderful and it will be an emotional legacy for your little boy when he grows up. I have kept the tape and plan in due course to show it to my son. You have inspired me to get out the video camera again!

It is really impressive work - was very moving too, and your strength, ethical and aesthetic sensibilities beamed throughout…It had the (lost) radicalness of ‘70’s feminist films’ but so contemporary too.

(The director would like to extend sincere thanks to all the above people who responded to the film!)

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