The Mothers of Pengins, a series from Poland

In the last few decades there has been a greater awareness of autistic and disabled children.  Previously they had been hidden away and parents made to feel inadequate.

"The Mothers of Penguins" (2024) are a group of misfits (relating to the disabilities of the children).  The children just didn't fit into any other available care facilities.  The series focuses on the parents as much as the children.  The caring parents all have limited support for their efforts.  Their personal relationships are very frustrating. 

One lead character Kama is a MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter who cares about her misbehaving son, Jacz but is reluctant to acknowledge he is autistic.  We are subjected to a short brutal MMA contest, but mostly we see her training and involved with publicity (where she is in effect a fashion model).  After being expelled from a few schools she is forced into Wonderful Harbor, a school with multiple handicapped children and their coping parents. 

 One conversation sticks in my memory.  At a get together with some wealthy sponsors, one of the elite women asked a mother if she had been tested during her pregnancy for birth defects.  In effect she had been, but not for one that would have revealed a Downs syndrome embryo.  She admitted that if she had it would have been a difficult choice.  She went on to tell the group that from her present viewpoint it would have been regrettable not to have experienced the love she received from her Downs Syndrome daughter. 

All the relationships are strained.  The involved parents are exhausted, but so are the husbands who have to work hard to get enough money.  One mother of a parent is always criticizing the one man, her son who is active at the school.  

To make this series relevant takes a crew.  Here are some of the contributors.

Klara Konchanska is the creator, principle writer and director.  She has 6 writing credits and 7 for directing.

Jerzy Rogiewicz provided some of the music.  As a youngster in a non musical family he got attention by banging on cooking pots.  He was enrolled in a music school and went on to become a percussionist.  He has 21 composing credits and 6 for the music department.

Marciej Sobieraj was the cinematographer.  He is known as a popular cinematographer for tv. commercials.  He has 10 cinematography credits and 3 for camera and electrical department.

Bartlomiej Piasek ws an editor.  He has 29 editor credits.

Agnieszka Kurzydio was the producer.  She has 17 producer credits, 4 production manager credits and 1 for assistant director.

Masza Wagrocka played Kama, the MMA fighter.  She has 28 acting credits

Barbara Wypych played Ula, the mother of the Downs Syndrome daughter.  She has 36 acting credits and 1 for soundtrack.

Magdalena Rozczka played Tatiana.  In 2010 she was a United Nations Unicef ambassador.  She has 59 acting credits and 1 for producing.

Tomasz Tyndyk played Jerzy, the main male parent.  He has 48 acting credits, 1 for soundtrack and 1 for editing including "The Pianist" (2002). 

Krstyna Janda played Jerzy's constantly criticizing mother.  She has been known as a singer and also won best acting award at te 1990 Cannes Festival.  She has 74 acting credits, 3 for directing and 3 for writing.

Netflix has given some interesting cinema from Poland.  "The Mothers of Penguins is available dubbed and subtitled.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily recommendations, but most of them are worthy of consideration.