Solomamma
Edith (Lisa Loven Kongsli), a journalist in her 40s, chose to become a single mother through an anonymous sperm donor, believing she can build a life on her own terms. She is now the happy mother of a five-year-old son. But the emotional weight of parenting alone begins to wear on her, and doubts creep in. When she unexpectedly discovers the donor’s identity—a nearby successful game developer named Niels (The Worst Person in the World)—curiosity leads her to meet him on the pretext of an interview.
What begins as a calculated encounter gradually deepens into a genuine connection, driving Edith to sink deeper into lies and endanger the fragile balance of the life she has built.
For her second film as a director, Janicke Askevold demonstrates a particular talent for writing. In a discrete yet confident crescendo of perceptive touches, the nuanced portrait she paints of her protagonists is scathing but without mockery. The unfairly stressful question of whether one can optimise our quality of parenting or family structure receives a... very interesting response.
On Saturday, Nov 15th, the screening will be followed with a discussion hosted by Dr Deborah Jermyn, Associate Professor in Film & Culture and Deputy Research Degrees Convenor in School of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, University of Roehampton, London.
This film is eligible for the Spirit of the Festival Award for Best Film award and Best Screenplay, and for the Audentia Award.
Cork International Film Festival is delighted to return to its Principal Venue, The Arc Cinema on North Main St, Cork, for its 70th Festival edition, Thursday 6th to Sunday 16th November 2025.
The Arc Cinema Cork is home to The GATE Screen — a space dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of the beloved former Gate Cinema — and an ideal spot for meeting fellow festival goers in between screenings. The GATE Screen features luxurious double sofa seats and tables, creating an intimate and sophisticated viewing experience. It is dedicated to showcasing arthouse films, including independent and local productions, foreign and Irish language titles throughout the year.
