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Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive conversation with French director Choukri Rouha and actress Catherine Badet, recorded by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed) at the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards at Regal LA Live, Los Angeles. Their short film Mothers — named Best Foreign-Language Short of May 2025 — was celebrated once again at the Annual Awards, where Catherine Badet received the honor of Best Supporting Actress of the Year.
The screening at Independent Shorts Awards marked the USA premiere of Mothers, giving audiences their first opportunity to experience the film on the big screen.
Two Mothers, One Decision
Set in the suburbs of Paris, Mothers tells the story of Sabira, a single mother of Algerian descent who faces an impossible choice after her 11-year-old son suffers a fatal accident: whether to donate his heart to save another child’s life. That child belongs to Anna, a Jewish woman in her 50s, who, after the transplant, feels compelled to find out more about the family behind her child’s survival. When Anna and Sabira finally meet, both women are confronted with the profound bond that now unites them.
Direction and Style
Under Choukri Rouha’s direction, Mothers embraces restraint and emotional honesty. The film leans into quiet gestures, silences, and unspoken tension, creating a cinematic language that places intimacy at the heart of the narrative. Rather than dramatizing cultural or religious difference, Rouha focuses on the universal themes of grief, empathy, and human connection.
During the interview, Rouha also emphasized the film’s central message: “The movie is very simple. It’s about giving an organ so that another person can live. Sometimes people wait a long time in hospitals with no solution. If we can give, it changes everything.”
A Performance that Resonates
Catherine Badet brings remarkable nuance to the role of Anna, portraying the character’s gratitude and vulnerability with subtle emotional depth. Reflecting on her nomination and award, she admitted, “I’m very, very moved. Thank you for your trust.” Her layered performance, recognized with Best Supporting Actress, reveals Anna’s inner struggle through stillness and expression rather than words — a quality that makes the film linger with audiences.
Rouha himself praised their long collaboration: “I’ve worked with Catherine for a long time and I really love working with her. I want to work with her every time, if it’s possible.”
Badet, who stars alongside the magnetic, intense actress Karina Testa in Mothers, highlighted how sharing the screen with such talent brought added depth to the story. Their performances together embody the emotional complexity of grief, generosity, and unexpected connection.
Reflections from the Festival
During the interview, Rouha and Badet also spoke about the other powerful works they encountered at the festival — including Siasar by Mahmood Sharifi Asl (Afghanistan), which had its Los Angeles premiere and was nominated for Best Drama Short and Best First Time Male Director. Deeply affected by its portrayal of women’s struggles, Rouha reflected, “We need to find a solution for women in Afghanistan,” connecting the broader festival experience back to his own commitment to socially engaged storytelling.
Enjoy the interview below, along with the trailer for Mothers, for a brief glimpse into the film.
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