“In that part of the book of my memory,
before which there would be little to read,
is found a chapter heading which says:
’Here begins a new life.’”

‘Confrontations’ is a documentary about the last four years of my mother’s life, chronicling her battle with cancer, through operations, chemotherapy, remission, and progression. It looks to paint not only a portrait of her strength and resilience, but also explore the impact that her illness and death had on her family and those around her. But by extension, it also touches upon themes of birth and rebirth, of hardship and injustice, and whether in spite of her fate, one may still draw out something beautiful or hopeful from her life.

The film that spans over three decades and takes place across three continents. It is made up of a mixture of footage I shot during that time, as well as archival documents, and home movie footage shot by my father in the early 90s. At its inception, and through my father’s initiative, it was meant to be a small and even short-lived project: a record of my mom’s recovery. The plan was to interview her every two months and how she was feeling, until eventually the illness would pass, and everything would go back to normal.

I took a long break from this film for obvious reasons. I had spent five years shooting it, and even longer editing it: changing it as her condition improved or worsened, but still the whole time, I expecting for it to have a happy ending. After she died, it was very difficult for me to look at those images in the same way, and for years, I think I struggled with it. But ultimately, I knew that for whatever reason, my mom had entrusted me with this footage, as even in her final days, she still smiled at the camera and laughed, even if maybe then she already knew.

Ultimately, this film will never mean to others what it means to me, or even to my family. But I know that it has its value for other families going through similar hardships, as it may offer perspective, and perhaps a way to face it with the same humour my mother carried throughout.