Mary and Martha (2013)

About Mary and Martha

Mary and Martha is a touching drama film about two mothers who bring their common experience of untimely sorrow to a joint mission of saving lives. Mary and Martha, brought together by the pain of losing their sons, use their tragedy to raise awareness about the need to combat malaria in Africa.

Making / Production

Mary and Martha is a HBO Films production directed by Phillip Noyce and written by Richard Curtis. The movie was primarily shot in the United States, the UK, and South Africa. The beautiful yet contrasting landscapes of these settings profoundly mirror the film's heartrending sentiments.

Actors

• Hilary Swank as Mary - She puts up a powerful performance as a mother who loses her son to malaria during a trip to Africa. Swank's portrayal of grief and determination to globalize malaria awareness is truly moving.
• Brenda Blethyn as Martha - Playing the mother who lost her son volunteering in Mozambique, Brenda captures perfectly the transformative influence of personal tragedy.
• Sam Claflin as Mary's son, Ben - An endearing performance cut short by the tragic advance of malaria.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Despite the film's central focus on the tragedy of malaria, Mary and Martha was not shot in a malaria-endemic country. Most African scenes were actually filmed in South Africa.
• The writer, Richard Curtis is an active campaigner against poverty and aims to raise awareness about malaria through this film.

Awards

While the movie Mary and Martha did not win any awards, its emotional storytelling and powerful performances garnered it widespread acclaim.

Quotes

• “We're mothers. We're supposed to change the world.” - Martha
• “Anything you do, however small, can make a difference. This is both your responsibility and your privilege.” - Mary