Nick to take her baby and abandon him in a hospital somewhere, giving him the chance of a better life. “Isn’t that the ultimate sacrifice a mother can make?” asks the interviewer. In the following scenes, we see Ma’s depression deepen as a result of the guilt caused by that specific question, and then she attempts suicide – further traumatising her child, and necessitating a period of separation for them both.

This relates closely to the movie’s exploration of the idea of women being ‘nice’ and compliant, while also relating to the wider, global debate about reproductive rights for women. Women are expected to make “the ultimate sacrifice.” That’s why women’s reproductive health is not considered a priority in most countries around the world. That's why r...

Please subscribe to keep reading.