Trailer for the documentary Ex-Mother.
The roles of parents and children can sometimes be reversed, as demonstrated by Dutch director Nadine Kuipers in her documentary. This film student and former model grew up with her father and his parents, because her mother couldn't kick her drug habit. Nadine did not re-establish contact with her mother until she was 23 years of age. Wilma still struggles with addiction, and her daughter must learn to deal with the problems of her feckless mother, who behaves like a child. Moreover, after a fall while under the influence of drugs, Wilma broke her spine, and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. Her episodes of dependence continue. Whilst intoxicated, she unwittingly sets fire to her apartment and loses the roof over her head. This documentary explores Nadine's feelings on the matter. She is torn between love for her mother and the need to rid herself of the burden that Wilma represents. Not a day or even an hour passes without the director having to think about all the terrible things that could happen. Every time the telephone rings, she has the unpleasant expectation that another calamity has occurred. Consequently, she has to decide whether she will live her own life, or if there is room in this life for her incorrigible, but much loved mother.