The Milky Way (2023) by Maya Kenig

“The Milky Way” (2023) is a 98-minute drama film directed and written by Maya Kenig. Released in 2023, the Hebrew-language film explores themes of motherhood, desperation, and unconventional labor in a unique and thought-provoking setting.

Tala is a desperate single mother who unexpectedly has a baby. Facing financial hardship, she seeks work at a “human dairy.” This unusual workplace is dedicated to expressing and collecting breast milk from new mothers to sell to wealthy mothers who are unable or unwilling to nurse their own babies. The film follows Tala as she navigates this challenging and ethically complex job, highlighting her struggles, the relationships she forms with other mothers in the dairy, and the broader societal implications of this industry.

Maya Kenig, who both directs and writes “The Milky Way,” likely aims to explore the economic pressures and societal structures that push women into unconventional and sometimes exploitative labor. The film seems to be a commentary on the commodification of motherhood and the lengths to which women must go to provide for their children in unequal societies. Kenig’s vision is likely to be character-focused, using Tala’s personal story to illuminate larger social and ethical questions surrounding motherhood, work, and economic disparity. The film’s setting in a “human dairy” suggests a potentially surreal and unsettling tone, designed to provoke thought and emotional response from the audience.

• Commodification of Motherhood: The film critically examines the idea of breast milk and by extension, aspects of motherhood, being turned into a commodity. The “human dairy” setting serves as a stark metaphor for how even the most natural and nurturing aspects of motherhood can be exploited for profit in a capitalist system.

• Economic Desperation and Labor: Tala’s situation as a desperate single mother highlights the economic vulnerabilities faced by many women, forcing them into precarious and unconventional forms of labor to survive and provide for their children. The film explores the dignity and indignity of work under such conditions.

• Class and Inequality: The premise of wealthy mothers buying breast milk from less privileged mothers underscores themes of class inequality. The film likely contrasts the lives and choices available to women of different socioeconomic backgrounds, highlighting the disparities in maternal experiences.

• Solidarity and Female Relationships: Despite the potentially isolating and competitive nature of their work, the film may explore the bonds and solidarity that form between the women working at the human dairy. These relationships could offer a source of strength and mutual support in a challenging environment.

• Ethical Dilemmas of New Industries: The “human dairy” concept raises ethical questions about emerging industries and the potential for exploitation within them. The film may prompt viewers to consider the ethical implications of markets built around human biology and caregiving.

• Unplanned Motherhood: Tala’s situation as a mother of an unplanned baby adds another layer of complexity, highlighting the challenges faced by single mothers and the societal pressures surrounding unplanned pregnancies.

• Unique and Provocative Premise: The film’s concept of a “human dairy” is inherently striking and thought-provoking, likely to capture audience attention and critical interest due to its originality and unsettling nature.

• Character-Driven Narrative: Focusing on Tala’s personal story and emotional journey allows the film to explore complex themes through a relatable and human lens, fostering empathy and engagement.

• Social Commentary: The film’s potential to offer sharp social commentary on economic inequality, the commodification of motherhood, and women’s labor makes it relevant and impactful.

• Maya Kenig’s Direction and Writing: As both writer and director, Maya Kenig’s cohesive vision and storytelling approach are crucial for effectively conveying the film’s themes and emotional nuances.

• Strong Performances: Compelling performances from the cast, particularly the actress playing Tala, are essential to ground the film’s unusual premise and make the characters’ experiences emotionally resonant.

“The Milky Way” (2023) is a drama directed by Maya Kenig about Tala, a desperate single mother who works in a human dairy, exploring themes of motherhood, economic hardship, and the commodification of human experiences.

“The Milky Way” has received 1 win and 12 nominations:

• Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2023: Critics’ Pick Special Jury Mention (Won)

• Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2023: Critics’ Pick Best Film in Critics’ Picks Competition (Nominated)

• Jerusalem Film Festival 2024: Israeli Feature Film Competition – The Haggiag Award for Best Israeli Feature (Nominated)

“The Milky Way” has received generally positive reception from critics, particularly within the festival circuit.

• FilmAffinity: Based on 4 critic reviews, the film has a rating of 6.5/10 on FilmAffinity, indicating a generally favorable reception.

• Overall Summary: Critics have praised the film for its originality, thought-provoking premise, and social commentary. The film’s unique concept of a “human dairy” and its exploration of motherhood, economic desperation, and class inequality have been highlighted as strengths. While comprehensive data from major review aggregator sites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic is not yet widely available, the existing reviews and festival awards suggest a positive critical response, particularly within specialized film circles and festivals.

• FilmAffinity: The reviews on FilmAffinity, while limited in number, are generally positive, averaging to a 6.5/10 rating. This suggests that those who have reviewed the film on this platform found it to be above average and engaging.

Box office information for “The Milky Way” (2023) was not found in the initial search results. As an independent, international film, box office data may be limited or not widely publicized.

“The Milky Way” (2023) is produced by Maya Fischer, Gal Greenspan, Roi Kurland, Alona Refua, and Roni Shamis-Cohen. Maya Kenig also serves as the editor. The music is composed by Tom Meira Armony, Assa Raviv, and Hila Ruach, and the cinematography is by Amit Yasur. Production companies include Green Productions and Les Films du Poisson.

• Jour2Fête (World-wide Sales, All media)

• The Party Film Sales (World-wide Sales, All media)

• Greenwich Entertainment (Canada, All Media)

• Greenwich Entertainment (USA, All Media)

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Original and Provocative Concept: The unique premise of a “human dairy” offers a fresh and unsettling perspective on motherhood and work.

• Socially Relevant Themes: The film tackles timely and important social issues related to economic inequality, women’s labor, and the commodification of life.

• Character-Driven and Emotional: The focus on Tala’s personal story promises an emotionally resonant and character-focused viewing experience.

• Independent and International Cinema: As an Israeli-French co-production, the film offers a valuable international perspective and represents independent filmmaking.

• Award-Winning: Recognition at festivals like Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and numerous nominations from the Israeli Film Academy indicate critical acclaim and artistic merit.

Why You Should Watch Movie

• If you are drawn to unique and original stories: The “human dairy” concept is unlike typical film narratives.

• If you are interested in socially conscious cinema: The film engages with important contemporary social issues.

• If you appreciate character-driven dramas: The film focuses on the emotional journey of a compelling protagonist.

• If you seek out international and independent films: “The Milky Way” offers a perspective beyond mainstream Hollywood cinema.

• If you enjoy films that provoke thought and discussion: The film’s themes and premise are designed to spark reflection and conversation.

What Movie Trend Film Is Following

• Independent Social Issue Drama: “The Milky Way” aligns with the trend of independent films tackling pressing social issues with a dramatic and character-focused approach.

• Concept-Driven Indie Film: The film’s strength lies in its high-concept premise, a trend seen in independent cinema that uses unique ideas to explore deeper themes.

• International Co-productions: As an Israeli-French co-production, it follows the trend of international collaborations in filmmaking, bringing diverse perspectives and funding sources together.

What Big Social Trend Is Following

• Precarious Work and Gig Economy: The film reflects the growing social trend of precarious work and the gig economy, where individuals are forced into unconventional and often unstable forms of employment to make ends meet.

• Economic Inequality and Social Stratification: The premise directly addresses the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor and the ways in which economic inequality shapes individual lives and opportunities.

• Ethical Consumption and Commodification: The film touches upon the broader social trend of ethical consumerism and the increasing scrutiny of industries that commodify natural resources and even human biology.

“The Milky Way” (2023) by Maya Kenig is a distinctive and socially relevant drama, distinguished by its original premise and exploration of complex themes related to motherhood, work, and economic disparity. While detailed critical reception and box office figures are still emerging, the film’s award recognition and thought-provoking nature make it a compelling recommendation for viewers seeking independent, international cinema that engages with pressing social issues in an original and impactful way.