The Mother and the Bear is not what you’d expect. Going in, you may think it’s a light thriller about a South Korean mother investigating her daughter’s mysterious life in far-flung Canada. Or a twist on that internet debate, “Would you rather face a man or a bear?” It’s all that and more, throwing together different tones and ideas into a uniquely charming and occasionally surreal comedy about one woman’s quest to discover more about herself beyond her role as wife and mother.  Sara (Kim Ho-jung) is a typical ajumma or “aunty” from Seoul with a distant daughter in Winnipeg named Sumi (Leere Park). Even from afar, Sara tries to dictate her daughter’s life, leaving her an endless stream of voicemails everyday. When Sumi slips on some ice and ends up in the hospital under a coma, Sara flies over to be closer to her daughter. But she also begins snooping around Sumi’s life, meddling recklessly as she begins trying to find her daughter a suitable husband while she is still unconscious.-The Asian Cut

“The Mother And The Bear is a very different spin on the romantic comedy and self-actualization tale. By combining the two, Johnny Ma creates a distinct and engaging story.”-Film Threat