Mother's Wish

A documentary featuring 10 stories of mother’s love from around the world.

Baby in a swimming pool
UNICEF

Acclaimed Finnish director Joonas Berghäll asked her mother to reveal her biggest wishes and greatest fears. Her answer inspired Joonas to travel around the world and capture these touching stories from other mothers. The women in this film have struggled through life against all odds. They give us all hope for a better tomorrow.

Watch the trailer

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Berghäll Subtitled in: English, Finnish, French, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish: Castillan, Spanish: Latam, Russian, Swedish.

UNICEF and Mother’s Wish

From the first days of life, a child's relationship with her parents is vital for nurturing her growth, learning and development. This film demonstrates the importance of this relationship in 10 emotional stories, from the slums of Soweto, South Africa to the hills of Nepal to the International Space Station.

UNICEF works with communities and governments around the world to build programmes and family-friendly policies that promote early childhood development – helping parents get the time and support they need to create a loving and safe environment for their children.

Part of the proceeds of this film will be donated to UNICEF.

Meet the mothers

A woman walks with a basket on her back, Nepal
Berghäll
Sushmita, Nepal

Sushmita was forced to marry a stranger at 13. She had her first child at 16. Her youth as a wife and mother was full of hunger, poverty and violence. Sushmita has self-destructive thoughts, but her love for her children is stronger than any fear. The situation seems hopeless, but Sushmita decides to survive and live for her children. Finally Sushmita makes a choice and leaves her husband. Her courage comes with a price, but the reward is freedom. 

Female astronaut
Berghäll
Karen, United States of America

Being in space was Karen’s childhood dream. And even though she loves her child more than anything in the world, it was impossible for her to give up her dream when she finally got the opportunity to make it come true. So the astronaut mother launched into space, while her young son stayed home and waited. Find out how Karen and her son maintained their bond while she was away, and how they adjusted when she finally came home.