Housekeeping for Beginners

 

“Say you’ll be their mother.”

Tragic, touching and heartfelt, Housekeeping for Beginners navigates the nuances of found families made up of people outcast by society who find their own place of belonging, in a propulsive story about duty, identity and responsibility amidst individual desire and personal ambition. 

Discussion Points:

North Macedonian director Goren Stolevski’s moving portrait of a queer woman thrust into motherhood after the passing of her partner is oft abrasive, frequently provocative and sincerely human. Through the hardship, difficultly and brokenness, beauty and unity shine through. Anamaria Marinca is dutiful as Dita in her reserved efforts to keep her odd family together. Having opened her home to the people rejected by theirs, she’s a maternal figure, yet struggles when having to actually connect with the kids of her partner, fiery Vanessa and innocent Mia, played by scene-stealers Mia Mustafi and Dźada Selim. Samson Selim is the heart of the film as the gentle Ali, whose sensitivity helps to bring peace into a house of frequent craziness and chaos. Vladimir Tintor’s firm presence provides a sturdy backbone, but with moments of vulnerability. The film is frequently moving, elevating the heart rate as we come to care for these characters and hope to see their world stabilise after so much tragedy and adversity. Deeply human and emotional, Housekeeping for Beginners left me hopeful despite its hardships.