A new Austrian documentary, 'Waves Turn', provides an intimate and truthful portrayal of the first year of motherhood. Directed by Josephine Ahnelt, the film follows five women who agreed to be filmed during this vulnerable period.
Ahnelt uses 16mm film, capturing close-up moments with a home-movie intimacy. The documentary aims to challenge traditional depictions of motherhood, highlighting the reality of exhaustion, joy, boredom, and wonder, rather than a perpetual state of bliss.
The women share their experiences through voiceovers. One mother recounts how all-encompassing love developed gradually, while another discusses judgmental comments received for bottle-feeding. A third woman reflects on how having a baby transformed her relationship, contrary to her initial beliefs.
The film includes touching moments, such as bouncing babies and massaging their thighs, alongside scenes depicting the glazed-over look of exhaustion.