Spotlights moms keeping their sons’ names alive

Director Sofia Drai has long had a keen sense of storytelling. As a documentary filmmaker, she has pursued projects that showcase the depth of human experiences in a raw format. Her latest film, “MAMA!,” depicts the lives of three Minnesota moms whose worlds were flipped the wrong way up after the lack of their sons by the hands of law enforcement. 

Although they’ve been bereaved with grief, the film goals to highlight the strength of those moms of their pursuit to inform their stories and create systemic change to stop another mother from experiencing their pain. 

Originally from Ukraine, Drai moved to California in 2013 to pursue a profession in film. Upon graduating from film school in 2020, she got down to make a movie titled “I Can’t Breathe” following the death of George Floyd, which led to a worldwide outcry for justice. 

After arriving in Minnesota, Drai heard in regards to the National Moms March Against Police Violence in Minneapolis. She thought the march can be an excellent likelihood to attach with those personally impacted by police brutality. 

A whole lot of families from across the nation descended on the Twin Cities to share the story of their family members as they marched toward the state capitol. It was through this event that Drai modified the course of her documentary and decided to give attention to the experience of those left within the devastation of police killings. She soon met Amity Dimock, Katie Wright, and Del Shea Perry, all moms in Minnesota who’ve lost their sons by the hands of law enforcement. 

While among the moms can have had their stories told within the headlines, the fleeting coverage of their stories brought little respite. They welcomed the chance to take part in a documentary where their voices can be heard, and the story of their sons may very well be uplifted. 

“I used to be really at a degree where no one knew about it,” Dimock said in regards to the death of her son Kobie Dimock-Heisler. Dimock’s son, who was on the spectrum and suffered from mental health issues, was killed by Brooklyn Center police after they responded to a 911 call. 

“The incontrovertible fact that anybody was willing to take heed to me and tell my son’s story, much less Hollywood people, made me jump on board straight away,” she said. 

Drai saw the film as her way of contributing to the movement for change. Through her filmmaking, she could illuminate the stories of those that had lost family members and provides depth to their experiences, often relegated to the evening news. She became inspired by the work of Niko Georgiades at Unicorn Riot, a locally-based nonprofit news organization that utilizes media as an activism tool.  

Drai stated that she learned a way of resilience from the moms while working with them. She saw firsthand the challenges they faced in getting answers from police departments and city officials, who she described as stonewalling her requests for information. 

Dimock stated that participating within the film allowed her to take back the narrative of her late son. “Most of us in situations like this consider that the police narrative is different or far more egregious sounding than what things were,” she said. 

She stated that reports describing her son made him sound intimidating and robust. Dimock shared that Kobe was an avid video game player who loved crochet. 

Wright’s son, Daunte Wright, was also killed by the hands of Brooklyn Center police. The tragedy brought her near Dimock, who shared the identical pain. The 2 moms found themselves in what’s been described because the exclusive club that nobody wants to hitch. 

When Wright met Drai, she felt a way of deep sympathy from her. She knew that she’d have the opportunity to do an excellent job in making a movie that captured the lives of their family members. 

“She was considered one of the one filmmakers that actually was very emotional during this time, so I could tell her heart was in it,” Wright said. 

Wright shared that she’s felt a chunk of her heart missing for the reason that death of her son. She believes that the film has given her one other ability to remind those involved in her son’s death that they may not forget what they’ve done. She, Dimock, and Perry have taken on the mantle of sharing their stories and putting forth legislative efforts to stop other moms from losing their children. 

“If we moms don’t arise and stop this from happening, other moms might be in our situation,” she said. “So it’s vital to inform the story, keep it alive, and ensure that that individuals understand that our fight isn’t over until no moms must feel what we have now to feel.”

Drai hopes the film will positively impact its viewers and draw strength from the moms and their experiences. “I hope this film will leave a trace within the audience’s heart and teach [them] tips on how to resist in such a gruesome life event,” she said. 

“The documentary’s important characters are an excellent example of resisting and becoming strong warriors and fighting to get what you wish.”

“MAMA!” is accessible for streaming on multiple platforms including Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube Movies, and DirecTV.