Writer-directors Darren and Colin Thornton bring their deeply personal story ‘Four Mothers’ to the big screen. Set to premiere at BFI Flare before its UK and Irish cinema release on April 4 2025, this delightful and heartfelt dramedy promises a unique exploration of family, caregiving, and the complexities of gay men’s relationships with their mothers.
The inspiration for ‘Four Mothers’ emerged from a poignant period in the Thornton brothers’ lives. As Colin Thornton reveals, “In 2016, our mom was diagnosed with a degenerative disease, and very quickly we ended up, almost overnight, becoming carers for her.” This life-changing experience, coupled with their viewing of the Italian film ‘Mid-August Lunch’, sparked the creation of a story that felt both personal and universal.
The character Alma, inspired by the Thorntons’ mother, uses an iPad to communicate. Darren Thornton explains, “It’s a silent film performance, but at the same time the character hasn’t lost their voice, they’ve just lost the ability to speak using their voice.”
The film breaks new ground by focusing on the relationships between gay men and their mothers. “It felt like something that we hadn’t seen before, certainly in an Irish context,” says Darren Thornton. This fresh angle allows the film to explore the “unique, special, complicated relationship that so many gay men, and particularly gay men of a certain age, have with their mums.”
Drawing inspiration from classic 80s comedies they watched with their mother, the Thornton brothers aimed to create a film that balances humour with emotional depth. “We wanted it to be sort of a fusion of that sort of broad American comedy, but also then something more visceral and raw with pathos”, Colin Thornton explains.
At its core, ‘Four Mothers’ is about the unexpected journey of caregiving. As Colin Thornton poignantly notes, “It’s coming for all of us at some point, both as a carer and as probably someone that at a certain point in our lives will need to care.” The film invites audiences to reflect on these roles while celebrating the humour and absurdity inherent in such situations.
‘Four Mothers’ premieres at BFI Flare, offering audiences a chance to experience this unique and touching story on the big screen. For those unable to attend the festival, mark your calendars for April 4 2025, when the film hits cinemas across the UK and Ireland.
Hear the full interview on Queerly’s Stage and Screen Podcast below: