Film Review: His Mother
by Karen Pecota

Maia Scalia, United States, 2024

Currently in the United States, we are aware that more people with mental illness use firearms and gun violence to make a statement. Filmmaker Maia Scalia writes and directs her latest short film HIS MOTHER, a scenario of an anguished parent desperately trying to keep her child and possibly others from harm from those who suffer from mental illness.

A mother (Bethany Anne Lind) attempts to reach her son, Harrison Miller (Ben Irving) who has left her a suicide message on her cell phone. Worried and panicked, she mother drives to his apartment to check on him. While driving she reaches out for help and attempts to contact his father, Jason Miller (D.W. Moffett), Harrison’s doctor, 911, the sheriff (Evan Hall), or anyone who will pick up.

One hears the car radio news station sharing an emergency alert that an active shooter is on the campus where Harrison attends. They warn the students to take cover and the community to stay clear of the area until the situation is under control.

Scalia’s creative filmmaking is well executed for empathetic impact using clear surrounding sounds, cinematography, music, and performance. Totally ingenious!

She visually focuses on the mother’s emotional trauma up close and personal while driving in the car. One quickly relates with the mother’s desperate plea for help, knowing that her son is on suicide watch and could be the active shooter.

The impact of HIS MOTHER is daunting with a thought-provoking message leaving shock waves to the very core of one’s emotions.