English Version | Mother Nature: Roteiro

Books

About mothers-nature

Ten books that show, once again, the symbiotic relationship between motherhood and the natural world. 

1. Eye Mama: Poetic Truths of Home and Motherhood, by Karin Arieli, teNeues (2023), € 49,61.
2. Girls Pictures, by Justine Kurland, Aperture (2020), € 52.
3. Mothers, by Chris Power, Faber & Faber (2018), € 12,07.
4. Flowers: Art & Bouquets, by Sixtine Dubly e Carlos Mota, Assouline (2016), € 105.
5. Kusama: Cosmic Nature, by Mika Yoshitake, Rizzoli Electra (2021) € 45,87.
6. Mother and Child, by Claiborne Swanson Frank, Assouline (2022), € 105.
7. Sorry I Gave Birth I Disappeared but Now I’m Back, by Andi Galdi Vinko, Trolley Books (2023), € 47,95.
8. Motherhood, by Ann Coxon, Tate Publishing (2023), € 24,69.
9. A Life’s Work: on Becoming a Mother, by Rachel Cusk, Fourth Estate Ltd (2001), € 11.
10. Motherhood, by Sheila Heti, Macmillan (2018), € 14,29.

Hotels

In a natural habitat

Nothing is as relaxing as nature. By taking us back to our natural habitat, these hotels are the perfect escape from modern life.

Wilderness Bisate, Ruanda
It's not a refuge in nature, it’s even better: the Wilderness Bisate is “part of” the mountain on which it resides. Made from volcanic stone, six villas replicate the ways in which Rwandan culture lives. With all the comfort you could wish for inside, these unique (and, yes, highly luxurious) rooms overlook Mount Bisoke. Although walks in the area are recommended, the hotel's restaurants and bars make relaxation a priority. More information at https://www.andbeyond.com. 

Areias do Seixo, Portugal
The staycation concept is increasingly popular - after all, if the purpose is to relax, why deal with the stress of international travel? Areias do Seixo is perfect for this purpose. Hidden away in the dunes of the Silver Coast, the famous hotel lies between the pine forest and the sea. With architecture that reflects its location, Areias do Seixo elevates comfort to an artistic expression. Equipped with relaxation in mind, the rooms include a fireplace, sea views and a thousand and one modern amenities. More information at https://www.areiasdoseixo.com. 

Bukubaki, Portugal
If some hotels are born to satisfy needs, others are created out of a vocation. Bukubaki, in Peniche, is certainly one of the latter. Blurring the lines between accommodation and conservation space, the hotel was designed with its environment in mind. Wooden houses and Canadian tents blend into the natural landscape both literally and figuratively, promoting the sustainability of the resources they make available to their guests. More information at https://www.bukubaki.com.

Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia
If you were told you were about to spend your vacation in a tent, your reaction might not be the best. But not all tents are built in the same way. The “rooms” at the renowned Shinta Mani Wild are the divine elevation of the concept. Harmoniously nestled between the Cambodian forest and the Timor Ring River is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world - with 15 different tents (some overlooking waterfalls), it's proof that there are tents that are (very) worth visiting. More information at https://shintamani.com/wild/.

Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort, Portugal
Rest is the law here. In one of the most remote areas of the island of São Miguel, there are 30 rooms away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. By “hiding” its guests in the middle of nature, the Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort offers them a unique experience, as the hotel blends perfectly into the paradisiacal landscape that surrounds it. Although “freedom” is the watchword, there is also a restaurant with seasonal menus that use the best the island has to offer. More information at https://www.santabarbaraazores.com/.

The Kayon Jungle Resort, Indonesia
There are names that reveal everything there is to know about a hotel, and The Kayon Jungle Resort is one of the most prominent in this category. Hidden among Bali's rainforest is a paradise waiting to be visited. From the suites immersed in nature to the famous spa, there's no resisting it. The hotel also has a policy of maximum tranquillity, prohibiting children under 15 from entering. More information at https://thekayonjungleresort.com.

Cinema

The unbearable power of the mother figure

Mothers are the foundation of countless narratives, and cinema is no exception. Here are some of the most unforgettable... for different reasons.

“Mother of Dragons”, the epithet applied to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) in Game of Thrones, perfectly sums up the concept of an iconic television and/or film character who also happens to be a mother. In Daenerys' case, her duties go far beyond the “simple” concept of motherhood, as she is responsible for an entire reign - without going into details, i.e. spoilers, the dragons were extinct more than a century before Daenerys hatched her petrified eggs, giving life to Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion, thus earning her the aforementioned nickname; as queen, she uses the magic of her blood to give life and strength to her dragons. Note: anyone who has seen the series inspired by George R. R. Martin's work will know that “Mother of Dragons” is, above all, a symbol of power. Unlike “real mothers”, such as the incomparable Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen) from Modern Family, the unforgettable Kate McCallister (Catherine O'Hara) from Home Alone, or the fascinating Raimunda (Penélope Cuz) from Volver, there are mothers who go down in history not so much for their unique, amusing or empathetic side, but rather for what their actions represent. Beyond the one-dimensional stereotype of a caring figure, the seventh art offers us a wide range of mothers who demonstrate strength, resilience and a fierce love - a love capable of going beyond the limits of the unthinkable. These representations not only entertain, but also provide insightful reflections on the complexities of motherhood that resonate with audiences of all generations. Several actresses have played Morticia Addams, the matriarch of The Addams Family, and they all have something in common (apart from the endless black hair): an irreverence that, although frightening, borders on seduction. Morticia embraces everything macabre and doesn't hide it, celebrating her individuality and unique personalities. Her unwavering support, expressed in an unconventional way, solidifies her place as a dedicated and serious mother, reminding us that motherhood exists in many forms and that love and acceptance can transcend social norms. 

Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty) is a name that will mean little to younger generations, but her character in the 1980s series The Golden Girls was one of the most impactful of the era, due to the humor and sarcasm that guided her relationship with her daughter, the equally brilliant Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur). The most interesting and original aspect of this dynamic was the fact that both characters were older than usual on television, thus showing a completely unique side of how the bond between mother and daughter “ages”. In fact, without this kind of perspective, the content we consume on the big and small screen would be totally different. Mothers have been such a powerful element in television and film stories that, even without realizing it, we've spent years and years in their kitchens, their gardens, their living rooms... almost as if we were part of the family. They made us laugh, they made us cry, they made us cry with laughter, and they made us think. Like Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts), the protagonist of the movie of the same name. With limited formal education, she uses her sixth sense and determination to stand up to a powerful company, all to protect the health of her children and her community. Her quest for justice underlines the strength a mother can find in the face of adversity - while defending the well-being of her family and others. A bit like Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock) in The Blind Side: Tuohy exemplifies the warm, open-hearted mother. By taking in a homeless teenager, she gives him love, care and the chance to thrive, demonstrating the transformative power of family guidance. More recently, we had Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) in Everything Everywhere All at Once, an impactful portrait of a mother who has to deal simultaneously with the pressures of immigration, family obligations and her own existential crisis. Despite overwhelming circumstances, Wang perseveres with hope, humor and a fierce love for her daughter. And what better example of this archetype than Marge Simpson, perhaps the central figure in The Simpsons? Despite the chaos surrounding life in Springfield, she remains the anchor of her family. Her unwavering moral compass, her patience with Homer's antics and her dedication to Bart and Lisa's well-being are an example to parents facing similar challenges. Marge's ability to deal with the complexities of raising a mischievous son and an independent daughter, while maintaining humor and optimism, is a tangible portrait of maternal strength. These are just a few examples of mothers who have left a lasting impression on viewers all over the world. Their stories remind us that motherhood takes many forms, but that strength, resilience and boundless dedication cut across all of them. These “fictional portraits” offer us a diverse tapestry of experiences, proving once again that motherhood is as unique as the women themselves. And that in this difference they all come together through a powerful bond of love.

Originally published in The Mother Nature Issue, from May 2024. Full stories and credits are in the printed version.