A Mother Apart

Powerhouse Jamaican-American poet and LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin embarks on a deeply personal journey to uncover the mysterious past of her elusive mother, Hazel–a woman whose absence has shaped Staceyann’s poetry, politics, and bond with her daughter, Zuri. Traveling from Brooklyn to Montreal, Cologne to Jamaica, Staceyann navigates a complex emotional landscape as she grapples with Hazel’s choices. She must also balance her enduring childhood pain with the profound joy of motherhood. In her feature debut, Laurie Townshend’s lens infuses the film with warmth and profound understanding. Townshend, who shares multiple identities and lived experiences with Chin, creates a beautiful synergy with her subject where honesty and love are embraced fully.