In the documentary Motherboard, filmmaker Victoria Mapplebeck captures the tumultuous experience of single parenthood. While battling breast cancer, her 14-year-old son, Jim, neglects his studies and indulges in a vibrant social life. Following a heated argument, he storms out, prompting a heartfelt phone call that Victoria recorded. “When he said he couldn’t wait to move out, it pierced my heart,” she reflects. “During that year of cancer, life’s biggest challenges unfolded, and I filmed every moment.”
In 2004, after a brief romance with a man uninterested in fatherhood, Mapplebeck became pregnant and felt the weight of a quote by Cyril Connolly: the pram in the hall can hinder great art. “I directed my camera toward that pram to balance my roles as a filmmaker and a mother,” she explains. Shot over two decades on various phones, Motherboard presents a blend of danger, struggle, and humor.
The film begins with Jim as a fetus on an ultrasound, giving a thumbs-up to his mother. Over 90 minutes, we witness his transformation into a charismatic young man with a talent for comedy. This longitudinal project has drawn comparisons to Michael Apted’s Seven Up! series and Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. However, unlike those films, which feature unseen directors weaving together a storyline, Motherboard showcases Mapplebeck as she navigates life as both a parent and a filmmaker.
At 38, Mapplebeck was a freelance TV director facing the challenges of impending motherhood. Recognizing her unstable income, she transitioned into teaching and leveraged her expertise as the creator of the first C4 webcam series, Smart Hearts. This experience led her to become a professor of digital media at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Longing to return to filmmaking, she created the short film 160 Characters in 2015, focusing on the relationship that led to Jim’s conception through old text messages from her now-retired Nokia phone. This was followed by Missed Call, which explored Jim’s wish to connect with his absent father and earned a BAFTA in 2019. Behind the backdrop of joy, Mapplebeck faced fears of not being there for Jim due to her cancer treatments.
She had begun documenting her year-long battle with cancer as a VR project for The Guardian. “I tend to view challenging experiences through a lens, which often helps me cope. With cancer, I realized I needed to take control by documenting both my treatment and its impact on our family,” she states.
Initially, Jim was hesitant about the filming. “Putting myself in her shoes, it seemed confusing. But I came to understand that for each person, healing looks different, and using the camera was her way of coping,” he reflects.
Now 21 and studying drama at university, Jim credits the film’s development as a collaborative process, participating closely with his mother throughout an 18-month editing journey. “It felt amusing to have two separate lives and then come home to watch her edits,” he shares.
Mapplebeck was mindful of not adding to Jim’s anxiety with the film. “We consciously decided to avoid recording distressing moments in real time. I never put a camera in his face right after a doctor’s visit. After some time, we would film reflections, allowing us to create a more thoughtful narrative.”
Jim, a natural performer, recalls fondly his moments on screen, whether singing silly songs as a toddler or acting in school plays. “I enjoy being the main character, and I appreciate our honest conversations,” he shares.
Many of the film’s vibrant moments feature Jim’s life outside their home, filmed on his own phone at music festivals and social gatherings. “It was nice to include my friends because they play a significant role in my life, especially during those formative years,” he adds.
The film captures their emotional journey, particularly one intense conversation recorded post-argument.
Jim met his father at 14 but they’ve only seen each other three times since then. “I don’t resent him. I’m indifferent to his choices,” Jim states thoughtfully. “I’m very content with my family and recognize that my life experiences shape who I am today.”
Motherboard will be released in theaters on August 15. Visit tullstories.co.uk for more information.
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