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Case Study
CultureFilm

MOTHERBOARD

Decades spanning documentary following the twists and turns of single motherhood, finding beauty in the passage of time.
MOTHERBOARD is a smartphone feature exploring motherhood, filmed over 20 years by BAFTA award-winning director Victoria Mapplebeck. It charts the joy, pain and comedy of raising a child alone. Victoria captures a life where both she and Jim survive her breast cancer diagnosis, two generations of absent fathers and Jim’s rollercoaster teen years.

How did OKRE support collaboration

MOTHERBOARD charts the real-life comedy and the roller coaster of solo parenting. Victoria captures a life where both she and Jim survive her breast cancer diagnosis, two generations of absent fathers and Jim’s rollercoaster teen years.

Consultant Michelle Feuerlicht chaired a roundtable discussion as well as one-to-one meetings with six experts in fields that were flagged. This included psycotherapy, teenage mental health, media, digital and lived experience documentary filmmaking. These meetings raised points in regard to consent, the portrayal of vulnerable individuals.

"It is confessional, and hyperlocal in its 4K-rendered detail; it is a richly satisfying, humane, sympathetic study at the end of which I felt I knew Victoria and Jim as well as if they lived next door."

Peter Bradshaw

Film Critic, The Guardian
How collaboration improved authenticity

Consent

  • Given Jim’s age and the dual role of parent/filmmaker, there were limits to truly “informed” consent over time. Power dynamics and future uncertainty created risks of regret, identity conflict, and strain on the mother–son relationship.
  • Independent, ongoing facilitation to support informed, reflective consent and open dialogue was introduced. It was decided that the consent would be reviewed (e.g., 5 years) to ensure Jim retains agency throughout the process.

Social Media

  • The film’s release naturally heightened the risk of exposing Jim to scrutiny and potential “cancel culture.” Jim is particularly vulnerable due to age, visibility, and online culture dynamics.
  • Anticipating scenarios and preparing strategies to manage social media responses were put in place. Test screenings and narrative framing to reduce risk of harmful misinterpretation were also considered.

ADHD, Mental Health and a Duty of Care

  • ADHD and past depression in the participants highlighted a risk of vulnerability. An ethical duty of care extending beyond filming to long-term mental health and wellbeing was put in place.
  • It ensured specialist-informed facilitation and psychological support, letting Jim control disclosure of his ADHD, while preparing him for potential impacts of public exposure.

Portrayal – Legal / Ethical / Moral Considerations

  • The portrayal of Jim’s father raised ethical concerns beyond legal rights, especially regarding future family relationships.
  • Facilitation and test screenings were done to assess and mitigate potential harm in portrayal. There was also engagement with the father pre-release, clarifying that the film reflects Victoria’s perspective, not an objective truth.

OKRE Focus: Motherboard

The OKRE Summit 2024 panel discussion is available to watch back now

Read more
15 mins
SummitMental Health

9) OKRE Focus: Motherboard

Victoria Mapplebeck, Debbie Manners and Abisoye Adelusi

Meet the team and collaborators

Victoria Mapplebeck

Artist and Director, MOTHERBOARD

Debbie Manners

Executive Producer, MOTHERBOARD

Michelle Feuerlicht

Executive Producer

Matt Locke

CEO of Storythings

Lisa Harewood

Head of Communications and Engagement, The Maudsley Charity

Mandy Rose

Professor of Documentary & Digital Cultures

Rebecca Mark-Lawson

Producer, Tyke Films

Dr Jo Bell

Social Scientist - University of Hull

Dr Charlotte Armitage

Psychologist and Psychotherapist

Nomination

BIFA 2025 Awards

Nominated for Best Debut Director and Best Feature Documentary

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