Abstract

In recent years, the depiction of motherhood in Chinese-language movies has gradually diverged from conventional family-ethical tales, unveiling more intricate and multidimensional identity traits. This study utilizes identity theory as its analytical framework to examine the identity issues and self-discovery encountered by mothers within the dual contexts of family and society. This research argues that maternal identity is not exclusively dictated by biological sex but is rather a product of ongoing creation within cultural, social, and power dynamics. It examines three dimensions—‘familial identity,’ ‘the dual identity of single mothers,’ and ‘the illusory name of motherhood’—utilizing recent Chinese-language films to uncover the suppression of subjectivity, emotional alienation, and power struggles that mothers experience in their maternal roles. The paper argues that modern Chinese-language cinema is gradually deconstructing the traditional portrayal of the ‘selflessly great’ mother, emphasizing her desires, challenges, and spiritual aspirations as an individual woman. This transition illustrates the intricate development and cultural importance of parenting during the modernization process.