Israeli Director Or Sinai Shares Journey Behind Her Debut Film 'Mama'

Israeli filmmaker Or Sinai discusses her debut feature film "Mama," which tells the story of Mila, a foreign worker in Israel who must return to her impoverished Polish village where her husband and child remain. The film was inspired by Sinai's personal experience when her parents hired a foreign caregiver for her mother, who suffers from Parkinson's disease. This encounter challenged Sinai's stereotypes and motivated her to explore the complex lives of foreign workers through Mila's character.

Sinai began writing the script during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially setting the story in Ukraine. She participated in a Torino film incubator via Zoom and spent significant time researching in Ukraine. However, the 2022 Russian invasion forced the production to relocate to Poland, requiring further script adjustments. Sinai and her producer secured funding from Israeli and Ukrainian film funds before the war, and later partnered with a Polish producer to continue the project.

Working closely with lead actress Yevgenia Dodina, Sinai found the process of seeing her written characters come to life both thrilling and intimidating, especially during large scenes filmed in Polish, a language she does not speak. The cast's strong performances helped bring the story's emotional family dynamics to the screen.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival shortly after post-production was completed, an experience Sinai describes as overwhelming and emotionally challenging. Subsequent screenings, including one in New York, elicited strong emotional responses from audiences, particularly around themes of motherhood and family relationships.

Sinai reflects that "Mama" explores universal questions about family, identity, and boundaries, drawn from her own upbringing in a close-knit family. While uncertain how the film has changed her as a director, she feels more confident in her unique creative path. She plans to continue developing her voice through future projects.