“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” Opens Melbourne Film Festival, Igniting Debate on Motherhood & Rage
Melbourne, Australia – august 7, 2024 – Mary BronsteinS darkly comedic and unflinchingly honest film, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, premiered tonight as the opening-night selection at the 72nd melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) at Forum Melbourne. The film, already garnering international acclaim, is expected to spark significant conversation around the ofen-unacknowledged complexities and frustrations of motherhood.
The film stars Rose Byrne, who recently won the Silver Bear for Best Lead Performance at the Berlin International Film festival in February for her portrayal of Linda, a mother grappling with exhaustion, isolation, and a seriously ill child. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You marks a significant departure from typical cinematic portrayals of motherhood, delving into themes of female rage and the societal pressures placed upon mothers.
Bronstein, a veteran filmmaker who began her career as an actor and debuted as a director in 2007 with Yeast – a film notably co-starring Barbie director Greta Gerwig – approaches the subject matter with a raw and uncompromising vision. She herself appears in the film as Doctor Spring, the physician overseeing the child’s care, a role she describes as embodying the “self-hatred” she experienced and a broader “judgement of mothers who are not being perfect all the time.”
Bronstein elaborates, “Linda feels as if she’s screaming into the wind and the void and nobody is hearing or helping.” The film doesn’t shy away from depicting the darker side of parental struggles, highlighting the lack of support systems and the societal expectation of constant, flawless maternal performance.
The film’s power lies in its blend of dark humor and genuine emotional resonance. It tackles a subject rarely explored with such candor in cinema, aiming to initiate a dialog about female rage and the discomfort it evokes – not just in men, but also in women themselves. Bronstein hopes the film will challenge viewers to confront the societal taboos surrounding maternal frustration and anger.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January to overwhelmingly positive reviews.The MIFF opening night selection carries a unique weight, as the film is positioned to set the tone for the entire festival and generate immediate discussion. Bronstein expressed her hope for “electric” reactions, “curious” engagement, and, crucially, “a lot of car conversations on the way home.”
Background: Mary Bronstein and the Evolution of Independent Cinema
Mary Bronstein’s career exemplifies a growing trend in independent filmmaking – a move towards deeply personal and frequently enough challenging narratives. her early work, including Yeast, established her as a director willing to explore unconventional themes and character studies. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You represents a maturation of her style, combining her signature dark humor with a more focused and emotionally potent exploration of contemporary issues.The film’s success also reflects a broader shift in the film industry towards recognizing and celebrating female voices and perspectives. Rose Byrne’s award at the Berlin International film Festival underscores this trend, highlighting the growing demand for nuanced and complex female characters.
The Melbourne International Film festival,founded in 1952,has long been a champion of independent and international cinema. MIFF consistently showcases emerging filmmakers and thought-provoking works that push the boundaries of the art form. This year’s festival, running from August 7th to August 25th, features over 300 films from 70 countries, with screenings taking place at various venues across Melbourne, including Forum Melbourne, ACMI, and The Capitol.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You will have a second screening at MIFF on August 9th. Further details and ticket facts can be found at miff.com.au. The Age is a proud media partner of the Melbourne International Film Festival.
Note: the original article did not specify the year of the festival. This rewrite assumes the current year, 2024. The location of the opening night screening (Forum Melbourne) and the festival’s founding year (1952) were added for context.
