Don’t Call Me Mama: Pia Tjelta Shines in Nina Knag’s Dark Psychological Drama on Refugee Crisis

Norway, famously known for producing Liv Ullmann, muse to Swedish auteur Ingmar Bergman, continues to deliver a remarkable roster of talented actresses despite its small population of just 5.55 million. Adding to this impressive list—including Ane Dahl Torp, Helga Guren, and Renate Reinsve—is Pia Tjelta, whose performance in Nina Knag’s debut feature Don’t Call Me Mama is nothing short of next-level.

This hard-hitting psychological drama, disguised initially as a Sirkian love story, explores the global refugee crisis through a deeply personal and dark lens. Tjelta plays Eva, a small-town teacher actively involved in a campaign to welcome Syrian immigrants. Her husband, Jostein (Kristoffer Joner), the local mayor, hesitates to support the cause, fearing political backlash from right-wing voters during his re-election campaign. Meanwhile, Eva hosts a language class, teaching Norwegian and encouraging creative writing for newcomers.

Into her class arrives Amir (Tarek Zayat), a shy 18-year-old whose poetic writings reveal his emotional journey as a refugee applying for citizenship. Eva, inspired by Amir’s talent, envisions a bright future for him as a writer and scholar. When Amir faces relocation to a distant refugee hostel, Eva takes a bold step—moving him into her home while her husband is away.

The film sets up a May-December romance, reminiscent of Todd Haynes’ movie of the same name. However, like Haynes’ work, Knag masterfully uses this setup as a bait-and-switch. Eva initially appears as a lonely woman coping with marital issues and seeking connection, but as the story unfolds, her character reveals complex layers including jealousy and hidden motivations.

A critical turning point arises when Eva discovers Amir has been dishonest, a revelation that becomes a key plot device akin to Chekhov’s gun. This element adds suspense and emotional intensity, questioning who will ultimately “pull the trigger.”

Though the film flirts with thriller elements, Tjelta’s nuanced performance transforms it into a disturbing yet compelling exploration of midlife crisis, political self-preservation, and the personal costs entwined with humanitarian issues.

Don’t Call Me Mama offers a provocative commentary on the lengths to which individuals and political entities will go to protect themselves in times of crisis.

Film Details:
Title: Don’t Call Me Mama
Festival: Karlovy Vary (Crystal Globe Competition)
Director: Nina Knag
Screenwriters: Nina Knag, Kathrine Valen Zeiner
Cast: Pia Tjelta, Kristoffer Joner, Tarek Zayat
Sales agent: REinvent Studios
Running time: 1 hr 48 mins