Logline:

A documentary exploring the rich diversity of motherhood and the far-reaching transferrable skills that the experience yields through a multi-ethnic and pan-gender lens.

Synopsis:

Ko te whaea te takere o te waka | Mothers are the hull of the waka (ship)

Kōpū, the Māori (Aotearoa New Zealand indigenous language) word for womb, symbolises the profound life-giving power of mothers. Kōpū also denotes the Māori word for Venus as the morning star - a persistent feminine symbol in many Western cultures and a guiding star in countless provincial religions.

Consistently throughout history, mothers have been sidelined and limited to caregiving roles. Yet care is vital to society’s fabric. While views on motherhood have evolved, stereotypes persist. Our film reinvigorates this understanding and seeks to reevaluate parenthood, highlighting the skills gained through caregiving and its potential to enhance workplaces, governance, and sustainability.

Our tale commences by painting similarities between two diverse entries into motherhood. One starts with Claire Pellegrino, a French immigrant living in New Zealand, recounting her unexpected motherhood kickoff within the walls of an abortion ward. The other begins with Krystal Burrell, a native New Zealander Māori, with a fraught journey as a teenage mother emerging from an abusive relationship. Like many women raised within a patriarchal culture riddled with daily unconscious bias, both believed motherhood would be an obstacle to their professional aspirations. Despite the contrasts in their cultural background, they both acknowledged the servitude rooted in the role.

Yet, their perception pivoted drastically when confronted with a different viewpoint. For Claire, in a “Westernised method”, her mindset shifted through market research involving interviews with a wide array of parents. Each conversation illuminated parallels between entrepreneurial skills and those honed through parenting: skills like empathy, resilience, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership thrown about the boardroom as necessary to success, were discreetly strengthened through caregiving. For Krystal, she found solace after reconnecting with Te Ao Māori - the indigenous universe, where motherhood’s value was restored. Our story draws inspiration from the multifaceted nature of motherhood, showcasing diverse voices and intertwining ancestral wisdom with scientific insights.

Anchored in this progressive outlook, kōpū:Unconventional Motherhood Wisdom explores parenting stories by bringing in participants of diverse genders, cultures and demographics for an intimate peek into the fruits of their journeys. The movie embraces a multi-ethnic approach to the subject while interweaving science and indigenous insights to examine motherhood's influence on different spheres and unsung values.

This story coincides with a global transition in how work, gender roles, governance and sustainability are perceived. Traditional models like the 9 to 5, 5-day work week are becoming untenable as our planet is beset by the unintended consequences of capitalist greed and overreach. Enter the mother, historically curbed beneath glass ceilings yet possessing the skills needed to mould enduring societies. Can we reframe parenting as a strength instead of an obstacle? If women regard motherhood as a career advantage, what impact could it have on workplaces?

Might the fusion of indigenous wisdom and science lead to gender equality? How would our world appear when we turn to our mothers - the nurturers of our future, to address global challenges?

P.S. Synopsis subject to modification. Our documentary is in its nascent stages, awaiting funding to delve deeper. As we gather footage and evidence, the narrative direction may evolve. We're committed to maintaining an open-minded approach, allowing the story to unfold organically and embrace creative twists.