MFAH Film New Releases: Don’t Call Me Son (Me So Ha Uma)

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents another in its New Releases series. Enjoy these critically acclaimed, award-winning international films as they make their Houston debut!

Don’t Call Me Son (Mãe Só Há Uma)

Director Anna Muylaert
Released 2016
Language in Portuguese with English subtitles
Country Brazil
Running Time 82 minutes
Format Digital, Color
Website http://zeitgeistfilms.com/film/dontcallmeson

Tall, dark, and androgynously handsome, Pierre wears eyeliner black lace underwear, while hooking up with both boys and girls. The confusion only goes deeper when the teenager’s single, working-class mom is arrested for having stolen him (and his “sister”) at birth.

Thanks to the wonders of DNA, he is returned to his biological parents: bourgeois, straight-laced, and thrilled to have him back – at least until he joins them at a bowling alley in a zebra-print mini dress.

The turmoil of adolescence is plumbed with wit and compassion by writer/director Anna Muylaert, whose earlier film, The Second Mother, screened at Latin Wave 2016.

Actress Dani Nefussi gives completely believable knock-out performances in the role of both mothers, and newcomer Naomi Nero makes short shrift of anyone’s expectations as a broodingly intense, potentially volcanic six-footer in stiletto heels. – Film Forum

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