Young Mothers

Five young mothers living in a shelter strive for a better future for themselves and kids amidst challenging upbringings, directed by the Dardennes.

Five adolescent mothers live together in a maternal support home in Belgium, in this poignant slice of social realism directed by the Dardennes brothers. Facing challenges such as drug addiction, potential adoption, precarious living situations and complex family relations, the women deal with their situations individually, but the home provides the tools, support and the community they need.

Drawing on extensive research at state-run facilities and consultation with local social workers, this richly moving and empathetic film won a screenplay award at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and – like much of the brothers’ work – displays the poignancy and compassion seen in the work of Andrea Arnold and Ken Loach.