Why “Imaginary Mothers”?

The title “Imaginary Mothers” was inspired by the book Cultures of Transnational Adoption. In the chapter “Birth Mothers and Imaginary Lives,” Laurel Kendall discusses her curiosity towards her adopted child’s natural mother. She writes about the complexities of the trichotomy, the differences in class, race, and opportunity, and how they will affect her life and her child’s life. She discusses the unkown, the lost time and “unfinished stories,” and subsequently the need for both (adoptive parent and adoptee) to fantasize and imagine the natural mother.

Kendall did not consider that one day her adopted child might have the need to envision her as a natural “mother.” I use this title to refer to the “imagining” phenomenon that I’ve experienced with both my mothers. I feel an intense lack of connection to both women. They both seem imaginary to me, even when I’m in the same room with them, I fail to connect. I wonder if this film will bring me closer to either one?

Leave a Reply