Why Directors Teodora Ana Mihai and Sode Yukiko Kept Motherhood Secret From Colleagues: ‘I Needed to Prove Myself Three Times More’ — SkimNews
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- Teodora Ana Mihai kept her pregnancy hidden during production, wearing bulky clothes to conceal it until six months along, driven by fear of being seen as less committed to her work.
- Sode Yukiko concealed the birth of her second child from producers, fearing it would halt her career, and only recently returned to feature filmmaking after a five-year gap.
- Sode Yukiko compared her long absences from family during shoots to a couple navigating the 'Sasuke' obstacle course, highlighting the emotional toll of balancing motherhood and directing.
- Teodora Ana Mihai relied on her mother for childcare during shoots until her mother’s death in a car accident, which removed critical personal support.
- Kondo Kanako noted that lack of childcare at festivals can lead guests to decline invitations, and praised TIFF for offering on-site babysitting during the talk.
- Sode Yukiko said Japanese film sets are too grueling for children, though some directors like Nishikawa Miwa and Kore-eda Hirokazu have hosted family days, signaling small cultural shifts.
Why it matters: Women in film face structural barriers that men don’t—Sode and Mihai had to hide motherhood to keep working, while male colleagues receive congratulations for the same life event. The personal cost includes delayed films, emotional strain, and reliance on fragile support systems, revealing a workplace culture where caregiving still penalizes women.
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