Mia Madre (Italian, English, DVD)

Nanni Moretti directs, co-writes and stars in this Italian drama. The story follows acclaimed film-maker Margherita (Margherita Buy) as she approaches an emotional breakdown whilst struggling to cope with her mother Ada (Giulia Lazzarini)'s illness during the shooting of her latest feature. Unable to understand or fully confront her mother's hospitalisation, Margherita is forced to lean on her brother Giovanni (Moretti) as she ponders the potential loss of their mother. Outside of the hospital, the director's life is made increasingly difficult on-set of her new political drama by its confrontational main star, American actor Barry Huggins (John Turturro).